Here are just some suggestions on touristy routes to see some of the top sites that are close.
Trip #1 A few personal favorites.
I did this route on 3 different trips, but they can be efficiently combined into a ~7-10 day excursion. This trip spans 5 countries with a different currency and a border patrol in Croatia.
View Larger Map
G-->B
Drive: Burghausen to Lake Bled, Slovenia
Drive time: 3 hours
See: Lake Bled and Vintgar Gorge
Stay: 1-2 nights
B-->C-->D
Drive: Lake Bled to Skocjan Caves, Slovenia to Plitvice National Park, Croatia
Drive time: 4.5 hours
See: Leave in the morning and see the caves that afternoon before continuing down to Plitvice. Plan to spend the whole next day at the Plitvice Park.
Stay: 2 nights
D-->E
Drive: Plitvice to Rijeka, Croatia
Drive time: 2 hours
See: Stay at the beach for a few days and enjoy the crystal clear water
Stay: 2-3 nights
E-->F
Drive: Rijeka, Croatia to Venice, Italy
Drive time: 2.5 hours
See: Venice and Milano
Stay: 2-3 nights
F-->G
Drive: Venice to Burghausen
Drive time: 5 hours
You can google the Dolomite road to take the VERY scenic route back, but it takes a few extra hours. If you enjoy the A10 down to Slovenia, you will LOVE the Dolomite road.
Trip #2. The Big 3
This trip is super flexible. Stay as many nights as you want in each city. I know some folks who did a crash tourist loop and stayed 1 night or less in each city, but I would recommend at least 2 nights in each. This trip also gets you through 5 countries with a new currency used in both Czech Republic and Hungary.
View Larger Map
E-->B
Drive: Burghausen to Vienna, Austria
Drive time: 3.5 hours
B-->C
Drive: Vienna, Austria to Budapest, Hungary
Drive time: 2.5 hours
C-->D
Drive: Budapest, Hungary to Prague, Czech Republic
Drive time: 4.5 hours
The route above puts you going through Bratislava, Slovakia. Stop there if you like for a few hours. Not too much to see though IMO.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Sunday, December 23, 2012
T is for Travelholic
Ok. Here it is. My constantly under construction/incomplete page about things I have experienced/tips/facts/misc info whether crappy or useful in regards to travel around Europe as I have experienced it thus far.
Definitions/Explanations
Currency: Even though some countries are in the European Union (EU) they might use a different currency. Its a good idea to know the exchange rate before you go and have a rough idea of how much money you want to get in the new currency. The best way to get a new currency is to use an ATM in the new country. However, most ATMs will only show the host currency when displaying options for a withdrawel. So you should have an idea if 5,000 "whatevers" is enough or if you are in a country where that will buy you only a water or maybe it's enough for a car. Some countries have a 1.2:1 exchange rate, some have a 300:1 exchange rate. So have an idea before hand. If you want to have 200 Euros equivalent on hand, know how much of the host country money that is equivalent to before you leave. This will also prevent you from lingering at an ATM too long and becoming a target.
Tolls: Just like the US. However, in Italy the first toll you stop at, you only get a ticket. Then when you exit the Autobahn, you will hand them the ticket and pay. Other countries/toll booths have a set rate like the US. It is a little annoying though because most don't tell you beforehand how much the toll is until you get up to the booth so you have no clue how much money to prepare. Make sure you have plenty of cash with you... some tolls are as high as 40 Euros or as little as 10-15 Euros. Depending on the stretch of road you are traveling and your destination, this can add a few hundred Euros to the cost of traveling. Do the research or ask someone.
Vignette: This is essentially a toll. You pay money to be able to use that countries' Autobahn. Not all countries have one. Some are super expensive, some are relatively cheap. When you cross a border, there are usually signs and plenty of gas stations to stop and buy one. The back of the vignette will tell you where to stick it on your windshield. The gas attendant will punch a hole to signify either the purchase or expiration date. Some countries are lax about these and others enforce them intensely.
Also note that gas stations are not as common as they are in the US. You can drive for several km without seeing an "Autohof" or rest stop. So plan the potty breaks and meals accordingly and don't let the tank get too low. Even in big cities, they can be hard to find right when you need one.
Germany
Currency: Euro
Tolls: No
Vignette: No
Autobahn: Well, everyone knows about the German Autobahn =) drive as fast as you want, but watch out for sudden 120 or 80 km/hr zones for construction or otherwise. They appear out of nowhere. Also, do not ride the left lane like an American! A Porsche or Lambo will appear from literally nowhere and you absolutely must get out of the way. It's actually illegal to ride the left lane, but in Germany, its also an important safety tip. At some point you will experience the car from no where going 250. Don't be in their way!
Random Trivia: It's illegal to play loud music in your car because you might disorient a blind person on the side of the road and it is noise pollution. Gotta love the Germans! =)
Austria
Currency: Euro
Tolls: A few in addition to the vignette
Vignette: Yes. Cost: About 8 Euros for a 10 day pass. You can also by a monthly pass or even a yearly one. Do not even try to get on the Autobahn without one. Not even for one exit! They will be waiting and you have to pay I think 120 Euros on the spot if you don't have it. We have some expats that can attest to this fine. You can program your GPS to avoid the Autobahn for short trips to Salzburg or something, but it might add significant time to your trip. Check if the time added to avoid the Autobahn is worth the price in fuel in comparison to a vignette.
Autobahn: Speed limit is 130 km/hr which is annoying on the long open strips heading down to Croatia or Italy
EU?: Yes. There is no border patrol between Germany and Austria. Only a remnant of a previous border control like the 2 in BGH.
Slovenia
Currency: Euro
Tolls: No
Vignette: Yes. 15 Euros for a week.
Autobahn: 130 max (Most countries have a 130 max, thats why the German Autobahn is so special)
EU? Yes. No border patrol.
Slovenia is a very cool country. Best kept secret of Europe IMO. I have a lot of day/weekend trips planned here for upcoming travels.
Italy
Currency: Euro
Tolls: A million. This link looks pretty cool though. You can look at how much the tolls are per road so you can plan your trip accordingly.
Vignette: No, because they have 4 million toll booths instead.
EU?: Yes
I think Italy and I got off on the wrong foot. It's definitely not one of my favorite countries. The people can't drive worth a flip and it's a bit dirty. BUT, Venice is a must visit. I have vowed to return to give Italy a second chance. The A10 to get down to Italy is SUCH a beautiful drive through the Alps. Also, we drove back from Venice on the Dolomite road. It was absolutely beautiful, but it will extend your trip a few hours.
Slovakia
Currency: Euro
Tolls: No
Vignette: 10 Euros for 10 days
EU?: Yes
Bratislava wasn't much to see, but there was a super cool pub with lots of rooms all decorated differently with historical artifacts and traditional Slovakian food. That was the highlight of our stop there. There area few really neat looking castles there, so I am sure I will return to Slovakia one day. I bought a few Slovak beers in the gas station when we stopped to get the Vignette... some have 12% alcohol! At one point I had beers in my fridge from 7 different countries and they were all purchased in their respective country. Pretty cool.
Czech Republic
Currency: Koruna (CZK)
Exchange Rate: Approx 1 EUR: 25 CZK
Vignette: Yep and I am totally guilty of not realizing this for at least 4 trips through the CZ Rep. Oops.
EU?: Yes
I. Heart. the Czech Republic. Besides Prague, there are so many non-mainstream but SUPER cool things to see. Slovenia and Czech are probably my two favorite countries. The roads can be a bit comical. You are either on the highway or on a back road where you are lucky if there are center lane lines.
Croatia
Currency: Kuna (HRK)
Exchange: About 7.5 HRK:1 EUR
Vignette: No
EU?: No. You will have to stop at a border crossing between Slovenia and Croatia. Have your passports ready and have your Visa accessible as well just in case. Dont offer the Visa right away though or else they will not stamp your passport. This is true in the airports as well. I only show my Visa if they start staring at my passport travel dates too long and start looking like they might start asking 597 questions.
Croatia has some truly beautiful coasts. However, the beaches are not sandy like 'Merkians are used to. The beach in Rabac had a rock beach. In one sense it was nice because you didnt have sand everywhere. On the other hand, it was a bit difficult to walk in the rocks and it was not the classic US thinking of a beach. The water is crystal clear and bright blue. I love it in Croatia during the summer - it's inexpensive, not so touristy and a nice place to relax. You can find all kinds of hotels from half board to regular places. Kid friendly.
However, the GPS doesn't like Croatia as much as I do. Mom and I have a horror story of showing up at someone's house down a dirt road on a mountain at 2 am because thats where the GPS said our hotel was. That was an interesting evening. When it's 2 am in a foreign country on a mountain back road and Mrs. Bobby Joe Ghetto Sue is woken up by her 53 dogs barking at us, flips on the porch light and starts walking outside ... you find out how quickly a Volvo can do a 3 point turn.
Finland
We obviously didn't drive here, but Finland is in the EU and they use the Euro.
Stockholm > was > way > better > than > Helsinki There is a cruise to the Baltic capitals I have been looking at. It's either 7 or 10 days and hits Stockholm, Copenhagen, Helsinki and spends the night in St. Petersburg among a few other cities. All for less than $1,000 (USD).
Sweden
EU?: Yes
Currency: Swedish Kronor
Exchange Rate: ~1 EUR: 8.6 SEK
Stockholm rocks. The color scheme of the city is really cool. VERY expensive place though! Moreso than Helsinki.
Poland
EU?: Yes
Currency: Polish Zloty
Exchange Rate: ~1 EUR: 4 PLN
We stayed here and I would highly recommend it. It was about a 45 minute drive to visit Auschwitz from the hotel and then ~45 minutes from there to see Krakow. Poland is super cheap. Not exactly the friendliest place I have been, but I think they are not used to a lot of American tourists where we stayed.
Greece
I took a week long cruise through the Greek Isles. They were still on the Euro while we were there, but their future financial status is still up in arms last I knew....
Hungary
EU?: Yes
Currency: Hungarian Forint
Exchange Rate: ~1 EUR: 290 HUF
Super cool city for sightseeing and having drinks. Make sure you see the market! And beware of random Pesos in your room... (I'll tell you the story if you ask nicely) =)
How do I pick places to go?
1. My Facebook map. Sounds totally cheesy, but I look at the map where I have tagged photos and see where there is a gap. Then I pick a city, and go explore.
2. 1,000 places to see before you die. This is an app on my iPad and it is how I discovered Plitvice National Park among a few other destinations.
3. If I want to see a castle, then I pick a country and google the country + castle. Then I look at the images and pick one I like and then go. This is how I found Hluboka. I googled "Czech Republic castles" and looked through the images. Simple enough.
4. I always keep an eye on the news in order to avoid trouble. Some countries don't much care for us 'Merikan folk.
Websites I use:
travelzoo They send a weekly email with the top 20 deals for the week. (It is in German though.) They also have a US site. Some of the US sites have deals to Europe, but the flights are cheaper once you are over there so be cautious about getting a deal from the US for Europe.
I like Booking.com. It is easy to use and sometimes they run some pretty good specials.
Flights: There are lots of websites to find flights. Ryanair has super cheap flights from Salzburg to Dublin for example.
There are also just as many websites in Germany for vacations as there are in the US.
My future adventures:
Slovenia
Tolmin Canyon
Vintgar Gorge
Slovakia
Bojnice Castle
Czech Republic
Budvar
Russia
St Petersburg
Moscow
Germany
Berlin
Black Forest
Iceland!!!
Spain
Traveling with Kids
Legoland is close to Munich so it is about 1.5 hrs from BGH. They have 2 day deals where you get a hotel room and 2 day passes to the park for a couple hundred Euros. Super fun park and it is huge! You need both days to see everything.
Ginormous indoor water park in Germany.
Disney Park in Paris
Definitions/Explanations
Currency: Even though some countries are in the European Union (EU) they might use a different currency. Its a good idea to know the exchange rate before you go and have a rough idea of how much money you want to get in the new currency. The best way to get a new currency is to use an ATM in the new country. However, most ATMs will only show the host currency when displaying options for a withdrawel. So you should have an idea if 5,000 "whatevers" is enough or if you are in a country where that will buy you only a water or maybe it's enough for a car. Some countries have a 1.2:1 exchange rate, some have a 300:1 exchange rate. So have an idea before hand. If you want to have 200 Euros equivalent on hand, know how much of the host country money that is equivalent to before you leave. This will also prevent you from lingering at an ATM too long and becoming a target.
Tolls: Just like the US. However, in Italy the first toll you stop at, you only get a ticket. Then when you exit the Autobahn, you will hand them the ticket and pay. Other countries/toll booths have a set rate like the US. It is a little annoying though because most don't tell you beforehand how much the toll is until you get up to the booth so you have no clue how much money to prepare. Make sure you have plenty of cash with you... some tolls are as high as 40 Euros or as little as 10-15 Euros. Depending on the stretch of road you are traveling and your destination, this can add a few hundred Euros to the cost of traveling. Do the research or ask someone.
Vignette: This is essentially a toll. You pay money to be able to use that countries' Autobahn. Not all countries have one. Some are super expensive, some are relatively cheap. When you cross a border, there are usually signs and plenty of gas stations to stop and buy one. The back of the vignette will tell you where to stick it on your windshield. The gas attendant will punch a hole to signify either the purchase or expiration date. Some countries are lax about these and others enforce them intensely.
Also note that gas stations are not as common as they are in the US. You can drive for several km without seeing an "Autohof" or rest stop. So plan the potty breaks and meals accordingly and don't let the tank get too low. Even in big cities, they can be hard to find right when you need one.
Germany
Currency: Euro
Tolls: No
Vignette: No
Autobahn: Well, everyone knows about the German Autobahn =) drive as fast as you want, but watch out for sudden 120 or 80 km/hr zones for construction or otherwise. They appear out of nowhere. Also, do not ride the left lane like an American! A Porsche or Lambo will appear from literally nowhere and you absolutely must get out of the way. It's actually illegal to ride the left lane, but in Germany, its also an important safety tip. At some point you will experience the car from no where going 250. Don't be in their way!
Random Trivia: It's illegal to play loud music in your car because you might disorient a blind person on the side of the road and it is noise pollution. Gotta love the Germans! =)
Austria
Currency: Euro
Tolls: A few in addition to the vignette
Vignette: Yes. Cost: About 8 Euros for a 10 day pass. You can also by a monthly pass or even a yearly one. Do not even try to get on the Autobahn without one. Not even for one exit! They will be waiting and you have to pay I think 120 Euros on the spot if you don't have it. We have some expats that can attest to this fine. You can program your GPS to avoid the Autobahn for short trips to Salzburg or something, but it might add significant time to your trip. Check if the time added to avoid the Autobahn is worth the price in fuel in comparison to a vignette.
Autobahn: Speed limit is 130 km/hr which is annoying on the long open strips heading down to Croatia or Italy
EU?: Yes. There is no border patrol between Germany and Austria. Only a remnant of a previous border control like the 2 in BGH.
Slovenia
Currency: Euro
Tolls: No
Vignette: Yes. 15 Euros for a week.
Autobahn: 130 max (Most countries have a 130 max, thats why the German Autobahn is so special)
EU? Yes. No border patrol.
Slovenia is a very cool country. Best kept secret of Europe IMO. I have a lot of day/weekend trips planned here for upcoming travels.
Italy
Currency: Euro
Tolls: A million. This link looks pretty cool though. You can look at how much the tolls are per road so you can plan your trip accordingly.
Vignette: No, because they have 4 million toll booths instead.
EU?: Yes
I think Italy and I got off on the wrong foot. It's definitely not one of my favorite countries. The people can't drive worth a flip and it's a bit dirty. BUT, Venice is a must visit. I have vowed to return to give Italy a second chance. The A10 to get down to Italy is SUCH a beautiful drive through the Alps. Also, we drove back from Venice on the Dolomite road. It was absolutely beautiful, but it will extend your trip a few hours.
Slovakia
Currency: Euro
Tolls: No
Vignette: 10 Euros for 10 days
EU?: Yes
Bratislava wasn't much to see, but there was a super cool pub with lots of rooms all decorated differently with historical artifacts and traditional Slovakian food. That was the highlight of our stop there. There area few really neat looking castles there, so I am sure I will return to Slovakia one day. I bought a few Slovak beers in the gas station when we stopped to get the Vignette... some have 12% alcohol! At one point I had beers in my fridge from 7 different countries and they were all purchased in their respective country. Pretty cool.
Czech Republic
Currency: Koruna (CZK)
Exchange Rate: Approx 1 EUR: 25 CZK
Vignette: Yep and I am totally guilty of not realizing this for at least 4 trips through the CZ Rep. Oops.
EU?: Yes
I. Heart. the Czech Republic. Besides Prague, there are so many non-mainstream but SUPER cool things to see. Slovenia and Czech are probably my two favorite countries. The roads can be a bit comical. You are either on the highway or on a back road where you are lucky if there are center lane lines.
Croatia
Currency: Kuna (HRK)
Exchange: About 7.5 HRK:1 EUR
Vignette: No
EU?: No. You will have to stop at a border crossing between Slovenia and Croatia. Have your passports ready and have your Visa accessible as well just in case. Dont offer the Visa right away though or else they will not stamp your passport. This is true in the airports as well. I only show my Visa if they start staring at my passport travel dates too long and start looking like they might start asking 597 questions.
Croatia has some truly beautiful coasts. However, the beaches are not sandy like 'Merkians are used to. The beach in Rabac had a rock beach. In one sense it was nice because you didnt have sand everywhere. On the other hand, it was a bit difficult to walk in the rocks and it was not the classic US thinking of a beach. The water is crystal clear and bright blue. I love it in Croatia during the summer - it's inexpensive, not so touristy and a nice place to relax. You can find all kinds of hotels from half board to regular places. Kid friendly.
However, the GPS doesn't like Croatia as much as I do. Mom and I have a horror story of showing up at someone's house down a dirt road on a mountain at 2 am because thats where the GPS said our hotel was. That was an interesting evening. When it's 2 am in a foreign country on a mountain back road and Mrs. Bobby Joe Ghetto Sue is woken up by her 53 dogs barking at us, flips on the porch light and starts walking outside ... you find out how quickly a Volvo can do a 3 point turn.
Finland
We obviously didn't drive here, but Finland is in the EU and they use the Euro.
Helsinki is a common port for cruises and that would be about the only reason I would visit that city. They have a live ticker showing the population for the entire country of Finland (~5 million when we were there) and about 600,000 live in Helsinki. We flew to Helsinki from Munich and then took a cruise over to Stockholm where we spent the day and then we cruised back to Helsinki. Helsinki is pretty expensive!!
By comparison, a 0.5L beer in Germany is about 3 Euros (half the price of local Finnish beer in Finland).
Sweden
EU?: Yes
Currency: Swedish Kronor
Exchange Rate: ~1 EUR: 8.6 SEK
Stockholm rocks. The color scheme of the city is really cool. VERY expensive place though! Moreso than Helsinki.
Poland
EU?: Yes
Currency: Polish Zloty
Exchange Rate: ~1 EUR: 4 PLN
We stayed here and I would highly recommend it. It was about a 45 minute drive to visit Auschwitz from the hotel and then ~45 minutes from there to see Krakow. Poland is super cheap. Not exactly the friendliest place I have been, but I think they are not used to a lot of American tourists where we stayed.
Greece
I took a week long cruise through the Greek Isles. They were still on the Euro while we were there, but their future financial status is still up in arms last I knew....
Hungary
EU?: Yes
Currency: Hungarian Forint
Exchange Rate: ~1 EUR: 290 HUF
Super cool city for sightseeing and having drinks. Make sure you see the market! And beware of random Pesos in your room... (I'll tell you the story if you ask nicely) =)
How do I pick places to go?
1. My Facebook map. Sounds totally cheesy, but I look at the map where I have tagged photos and see where there is a gap. Then I pick a city, and go explore.
2. 1,000 places to see before you die. This is an app on my iPad and it is how I discovered Plitvice National Park among a few other destinations.
3. If I want to see a castle, then I pick a country and google the country + castle. Then I look at the images and pick one I like and then go. This is how I found Hluboka. I googled "Czech Republic castles" and looked through the images. Simple enough.
4. I always keep an eye on the news in order to avoid trouble. Some countries don't much care for us 'Merikan folk.
Websites I use:
travelzoo They send a weekly email with the top 20 deals for the week. (It is in German though.) They also have a US site. Some of the US sites have deals to Europe, but the flights are cheaper once you are over there so be cautious about getting a deal from the US for Europe.
I like Booking.com. It is easy to use and sometimes they run some pretty good specials.
Flights: There are lots of websites to find flights. Ryanair has super cheap flights from Salzburg to Dublin for example.
There are also just as many websites in Germany for vacations as there are in the US.
My future adventures:
Slovenia
Tolmin Canyon
Vintgar Gorge
Slovakia
Bojnice Castle
Czech Republic
Budvar
Russia
St Petersburg
Moscow
Germany
Berlin
Black Forest
Iceland!!!
Spain
Traveling with Kids
Legoland is close to Munich so it is about 1.5 hrs from BGH. They have 2 day deals where you get a hotel room and 2 day passes to the park for a couple hundred Euros. Super fun park and it is huge! You need both days to see everything.
Ginormous indoor water park in Germany.
Disney Park in Paris
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Mental Notes
Just a scratch pad for misc things to remember...
1. Always travel with a fan during the summer in case of hotels with no A/C. Consequence: Hot, sweaty misery.
2. Pick up lots of small things at souvenir shops when traveling throughout the year and them combine them for small gifts to friends back home. Consequence: Last minute gifts from wherever you happen to be vs travel stories behind even the smallest of things to make them sound like super cool gifts.
3. Don't tell someone in Finland that their language sounds like Russian. Consequence: A very agitated Taxi driver.
4. Don't feed the pigeons in Venice, it is illegal.
1. Always travel with a fan during the summer in case of hotels with no A/C. Consequence: Hot, sweaty misery.
2. Pick up lots of small things at souvenir shops when traveling throughout the year and them combine them for small gifts to friends back home. Consequence: Last minute gifts from wherever you happen to be vs travel stories behind even the smallest of things to make them sound like super cool gifts.
3. Don't tell someone in Finland that their language sounds like Russian. Consequence: A very agitated Taxi driver.
4. Don't feed the pigeons in Venice, it is illegal.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
The definition!
It's hard enough as it is to be an Ex-Pat. Removed from your home country to live somewhere and create a new life. Leave your family behind. Leave all definitions of normality behind.
Being an Ex-Pat when your new "Family" begins to slowly leave is an awful feeling. They leave one by one. Month by month. The people you leaned on, the ones you laughed with, created memories with...they just LEAVE. Gone.
The goodbyes. The "see you laters." More painful than normal. What?!?!?! You can't leave!! I still have one more YEAR here!! WTF. You can't go!! I didnt give you permission to leave!
Poof.
By definition, all ex pats are supposed to leave eventually of course. It just sucks when you are the one that feels left behind.
Being an Ex-Pat when your new "Family" begins to slowly leave is an awful feeling. They leave one by one. Month by month. The people you leaned on, the ones you laughed with, created memories with...they just LEAVE. Gone.
The goodbyes. The "see you laters." More painful than normal. What?!?!?! You can't leave!! I still have one more YEAR here!! WTF. You can't go!! I didnt give you permission to leave!
Poof.
By definition, all ex pats are supposed to leave eventually of course. It just sucks when you are the one that feels left behind.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Honky Horn Thingamabobie
Europeans don't care about being seen as different. Not one bit. So when you work at a plant with 8 million people, having a bike that stands out is important - especially around lunch time. And SO, being the cool kid that I am, I bought a little something at Toys R Us in Salzburg to set my Wackermobikebile off from the rest....
Ya thats right. 100% genuine Cars Lightening McQueen honky horn thingie. (Not my hand in the picture BTW...someone felt the need to honk my horn AND take a picture of it in action.) SUPA!
Now, back to the story I was supposed to be telling.
On my way home today, I was trying to walk and maneuver the bike through the tiny gate at my apartment. The pedal caught and I was close to eating dirt for dinner. As I was falling, the horn kept hitting my hips and honking. I looked up and saw a terrified German yard guy. I wish I had a picture of his face.
1. What is an American doing here?
2. What kind of sound WAS that? There MUST be a law preventing strange sounds when you scare the crap out of people.
3. Who in their right mind has that kind of horn on their bike? There MUST be a law for this somewhere.
4. What idiot doesn't know how to get their bike through a gate? There MUST be a regulation for proper maneuvering of a bike through gates.
I couldn't help but giggle. A lot.
Proud moment number 644 for THIS crazy American girl!
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Devilish Laugh
So. I've been here for almost......4 full months. We have had some language training and just being IN Germany is language training in itself.
I giggled at myself yesterday when I was at the grocery store and the lady said "werdtfyguhijokmojnhcfgtyder56t7y8u9ijoknbhgvcfdxer56t7y8hiujnbhkgvfty sie?" I nodded because from sheer experience, I knew she was asking if I needed a receipt. I laughed because I am starting to count the times when I totally guess at what people are saying. Sometimes the nod with the far off look works. When it doesn't, then I get to play the dumb American. Win win situation.
"Wow, LeAna your German is getting really good!"
Insert devilish laugh here... =)
I giggled at myself yesterday when I was at the grocery store and the lady said "werdtfyguhijokmojnhcfgtyder56t7y8u9ijoknbhgvcfdxer56t7y8hiujnbhkgvfty sie?" I nodded because from sheer experience, I knew she was asking if I needed a receipt. I laughed because I am starting to count the times when I totally guess at what people are saying. Sometimes the nod with the far off look works. When it doesn't, then I get to play the dumb American. Win win situation.
"Wow, LeAna your German is getting really good!"
Insert devilish laugh here... =)
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Envy - The deadliest of them all
For those who read this and know it is a direct reference, please don't read this with sour eyes. Read this and appreciate your fortune. Read this with eyes from another perspective. Smile as you see from another vantage point and smile as you hug your loved one and experience Germany with them.
It's the small things that matter. The most seemingly insignificant things can mean so much when in a different perspective. A trip to the grocery store. No big deal. A trip to the grocery store in another country - has become no big deal 2 months later. However, having someone to experience the initial confusion WITH you - seemingly insignificant, but a very big deal. The memories to look back upon and laugh at the confusion when the lady at the checkout counter speaks so fast. The gazes from the 962 people in line behind you wondering why you are so slow. A shared experience. A shared experience with someone you love. Now stop and imagine that person was not with you. Welcome to my world.
Welcome to my world where you are typically independent to a fault and now have to rely on others for help. Welcome to the world of relying on Skype, relying on a good internet connection just to gaze upon the people you can't touch. A self-hug in mid air with closed eyes imagining the ghost of the other inside them. A trip to the grocery store alone where there is no one to help or laugh with amidst the comical insanity of the situation.
The little things become routine, but the memories are mine alone.
I have a new perspective on the little things. The picture in the mail with scribble outside of the lines splatter my wall as makeshift wallpaper. The random cards in the mail are on display to remind me everyday of why I am here and who I get to go home to. The people I am here with now have become my family because they are all I have 5,000 miles away from the ordinary. They become a source of laughter, a shoulder to cry on, a substitute for the people in my life I wish were here with me.
I just wish I had someone to experience this with me. For what I have sacrificed, it sometimes feels overwhelming. Unless you have lived it, I don't think you understand the magnitude of strength it takes to get up in the morning and smile.
I admit, I do catch myself being envious at times of others. Envious of the small things. I am not perfect.
I am split between wishing the time away and slowing it down. Thus, it stays as is and depending on the day you ask me, it will either be flying by or crawling behind a tortoise.
It's the small things that matter. The most seemingly insignificant things can mean so much when in a different perspective. A trip to the grocery store. No big deal. A trip to the grocery store in another country - has become no big deal 2 months later. However, having someone to experience the initial confusion WITH you - seemingly insignificant, but a very big deal. The memories to look back upon and laugh at the confusion when the lady at the checkout counter speaks so fast. The gazes from the 962 people in line behind you wondering why you are so slow. A shared experience. A shared experience with someone you love. Now stop and imagine that person was not with you. Welcome to my world.
Welcome to my world where you are typically independent to a fault and now have to rely on others for help. Welcome to the world of relying on Skype, relying on a good internet connection just to gaze upon the people you can't touch. A self-hug in mid air with closed eyes imagining the ghost of the other inside them. A trip to the grocery store alone where there is no one to help or laugh with amidst the comical insanity of the situation.
The little things become routine, but the memories are mine alone.
I have a new perspective on the little things. The picture in the mail with scribble outside of the lines splatter my wall as makeshift wallpaper. The random cards in the mail are on display to remind me everyday of why I am here and who I get to go home to. The people I am here with now have become my family because they are all I have 5,000 miles away from the ordinary. They become a source of laughter, a shoulder to cry on, a substitute for the people in my life I wish were here with me.
I just wish I had someone to experience this with me. For what I have sacrificed, it sometimes feels overwhelming. Unless you have lived it, I don't think you understand the magnitude of strength it takes to get up in the morning and smile.
I admit, I do catch myself being envious at times of others. Envious of the small things. I am not perfect.
I am split between wishing the time away and slowing it down. Thus, it stays as is and depending on the day you ask me, it will either be flying by or crawling behind a tortoise.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Almost European? Nope. Still American.
The weather was beautiful today. And when I say beautiful, I mean a stark contrast to the -12C blizzard conditions from 6 weeks ago. I really have no idea HOW warm it was, but there was actually some sunshine. I almost got hot.
The shops were open today (Sunday). I'm not privy to the special name for this, but it was pretty neat nonetheless. Of course you have to remember that typically there is absolutely nothing open on Sundays! Maybe a gas station or two but thats IT. I was a lazy American this morning (-1 point). Slept in until 10:15 (good grief that felt good though). Had coffee on the balcony (+1 point). Then at 13:00 left to walk up and down Marktlstrasse for the very first time. (Not sure if you can count the 13:00 time notation as European since I am a military brat, but we will consider it slightly European as well...+1 point).
I was brave an ventured from my apartment for the first time with no jacket. I felt like such a rebel despite slight panicky feelings wondering if I would be frozen in 10 min. The streets were truly abuzz with people and music. It was quite nice actually. I did not do as the locals did and sit in the street-side cafes eating monstrous ice creams (-1 point). Instead, I just walked by and took their picture (-2 points for being a tourist).
After a few hours of shopping and buying touristy things for my friends back home (-1 point), I dropped my bags off at the apartment. +2 points for walking and not driving.
I actually felt guilty I was inside my "flat" for 30 min with the weather being so nice (+1 point). My colleague called and we went WALKING to look at the castle. Sad that I have lived here for 6 or 7 weeks or whatever and still have not visited the castle grounds. Oops.
I am typing this while listening to German TV (+1 point.)
I wore my cammo hat today (-2 points).
I had an American dinner (-1 point).
We sat at the cafe at the castle and had a cappuccino (+1 point).
Total tally:
American = -8
European = +7
Still have some work to do I guess....
The shops were open today (Sunday). I'm not privy to the special name for this, but it was pretty neat nonetheless. Of course you have to remember that typically there is absolutely nothing open on Sundays! Maybe a gas station or two but thats IT. I was a lazy American this morning (-1 point). Slept in until 10:15 (good grief that felt good though). Had coffee on the balcony (+1 point). Then at 13:00 left to walk up and down Marktlstrasse for the very first time. (Not sure if you can count the 13:00 time notation as European since I am a military brat, but we will consider it slightly European as well...+1 point).
I was brave an ventured from my apartment for the first time with no jacket. I felt like such a rebel despite slight panicky feelings wondering if I would be frozen in 10 min. The streets were truly abuzz with people and music. It was quite nice actually. I did not do as the locals did and sit in the street-side cafes eating monstrous ice creams (-1 point). Instead, I just walked by and took their picture (-2 points for being a tourist).
After a few hours of shopping and buying touristy things for my friends back home (-1 point), I dropped my bags off at the apartment. +2 points for walking and not driving.
I actually felt guilty I was inside my "flat" for 30 min with the weather being so nice (+1 point). My colleague called and we went WALKING to look at the castle. Sad that I have lived here for 6 or 7 weeks or whatever and still have not visited the castle grounds. Oops.
I am typing this while listening to German TV (+1 point.)
I wore my cammo hat today (-2 points).
I had an American dinner (-1 point).
We sat at the cafe at the castle and had a cappuccino (+1 point).
Total tally:
American = -8
European = +7
Still have some work to do I guess....
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
The List
Because I am old and have the memory of a stuffed animal, I am going to start a list of places I have travelled. I realized this is necessary because I have tried to list where I have been a few times and it takes me 10 minutes to remember. Hopefully this will help to spare the next person who asks 9 minutes of watching me hurt myself thinking.
I have added a fav pic from each trip that I took. I've also decided to add a star system. Five Stars = MUST visit!!! One Star = eh. Take it or leave it.
Reit Im Winkl (ski resort city)*** (great spot for skiers or snow tubing)
Salzburg****
Snow Church in the town I can never pronounce nor remember**** (a must see, but not sure they do it every year)
See. Already had to stop and think.
Landshut (castle)**
Ampfing for go-carting***
Mueldorf**
Munich****
Altoetting (black Madonna)***
Zugspitze (highest mountain peak in Germany and the highest Biergarten)*****
Umag, Croatia (beach)***
Trieste, Italy (castle on the water)***
Skojcan Caves, Slovenia (cool cave to tour)****
Prague, Czech Republic*****
Drive through the Dolomites****
Ramstein AB***
Frankfurt-Hahn Airport (Where I was born)*
Venice, Italy*****
Milano, Italy****
Jesolo, Italy (beach)**
Aldersbach Brewery***** (team building trip)
7 day cruise to Greece - Venice, Corfu, Santorini, Mykonos, Katakolon/Olympia *****
Rabac, Croatia (beach)**, Pula, Croatia (colosseum)***
Plitvice National Park in Croatia (waterfalls)*****
Ljublajana, Slovenia (castle)***
Lake Bled, Slovenia (castle and a church in the middle of a lake)****
Legoland***** (a MUST for little people!!)
Dresden, Germany****
Helsinki, Finland*
Stockholm, Sweden***
Krakow, Poland**
Auschwitz Concentration Camp****
Budapest, Hungry****
Beerfests*****
Church of Bones (Sedlec Ossuary), Czech Republic****
Heidelberg, Germany****
Either I can't remember any more right now or that was it.
To be continued...(if I can remember to keep this up)
I have added a fav pic from each trip that I took. I've also decided to add a star system. Five Stars = MUST visit!!! One Star = eh. Take it or leave it.
Reit Im Winkl (ski resort city)*** (great spot for skiers or snow tubing)
Salzburg****
Snow Church in the town I can never pronounce nor remember**** (a must see, but not sure they do it every year)
See. Already had to stop and think.
Landshut (castle)**
Ampfing for go-carting***
Mueldorf**
Munich****
Altoetting (black Madonna)***
Zugspitze (highest mountain peak in Germany and the highest Biergarten)*****
Umag, Croatia (beach)***
Trieste, Italy (castle on the water)***
Skojcan Caves, Slovenia (cool cave to tour)****
Prague, Czech Republic*****
Drive through the Dolomites****
Ramstein AB***
Frankfurt-Hahn Airport (Where I was born)*
Venice, Italy*****
Milano, Italy****
Jesolo, Italy (beach)**
Aldersbach Brewery***** (team building trip)
7 day cruise to Greece - Venice, Corfu, Santorini, Mykonos, Katakolon/Olympia *****
Rabac, Croatia (beach)**, Pula, Croatia (colosseum)***
Plitvice National Park in Croatia (waterfalls)*****
Ljublajana, Slovenia (castle)***
Lake Bled, Slovenia (castle and a church in the middle of a lake)****
Legoland***** (a MUST for little people!!)
Dresden, Germany****
Helsinki, Finland*
Stockholm, Sweden***
Krakow, Poland**
Auschwitz Concentration Camp****
Budapest, Hungry****
Beerfests*****
Hluboká nad Vltavou, Czech Republic****
Church of Bones (Sedlec Ossuary), Czech Republic****
Heidelberg, Germany****
Either I can't remember any more right now or that was it.
To be continued...(if I can remember to keep this up)
Thursday, March 8, 2012
1%
Here it is. The avoidance can no longer be evaded.
The bottom of "The W."
I wish I had never seen this analogy. The feelings of highs and lows equating to a "W" form. It must be prevalent enough that we are taught and forewarned of this in advance to our arrival in Germany. It has been in the back of my mind ever since the vile slide showed itself in intercultural training. So I have known it was going to happen. Purely inevitable. Crap... One day I will have to endure this and I know its going to be especially harsh.
#$%^&*
It has become almost a talent of mine to hide feelings, stuff them in a corner in some room with a key and just forget about them. Eventually, they fade away and die. Life goes on. So when I do become quite emotional, it is an unusual feeling for me. I'm pretty sure I know why and when this started, but thats for me to know and you to wonder about.
My biggest struggle in Germany is blatantly clear to anyone who knows me even remotely well or anyone that has step foot inside my apartment. I spend 99% of the time repressing thoughts, memories and emotions. Its the 1% I am terrified of; the 1% of my time where I fear I will be anywhere but home alone. The 1% of the time when I am NOT in control of myself. The 1% of the time I feel vulnerable and deep breaths with closed eyes aren't enough to suppress the aching.
This whole experience has been about sacrifice for everyone. There is no sacrifice that anyone has that is any greater or inferior than another's. In one sense, we are all in this together. Things are beautiful, amicable and jovial on the outside, but we are all a gooey mess on the inside. Uprooted from everything and especially everyone who is important to us. The pictures are beautiful, the opportunity is unique, but 1% of the time is spent questioning everything. 1% sometimes feels like 99%.
Strength.
Prayers for strength are the most numerous they have ever been in my life and I am sure in many of my colleagues' lives as well. The importance is immeasurable.
Behind every smile is a tear shed for those we love.
I feel disconnected. I might as well be on an island. Pure disconnect. Time goes on and sentences get shorter, Days get "fine"r. I don't know how to fix it. I don't know how to put a sticker on it that smells like strawberries when you scratch it. I just don't know.
The bottom of the "W."
Strength.
Another day. Another beautiful picture, another incredible adventure. Smile. Everything will be ok. Strength. Always, strength.
The bottom of "The W."
I wish I had never seen this analogy. The feelings of highs and lows equating to a "W" form. It must be prevalent enough that we are taught and forewarned of this in advance to our arrival in Germany. It has been in the back of my mind ever since the vile slide showed itself in intercultural training. So I have known it was going to happen. Purely inevitable. Crap... One day I will have to endure this and I know its going to be especially harsh.
#$%^&*
It has become almost a talent of mine to hide feelings, stuff them in a corner in some room with a key and just forget about them. Eventually, they fade away and die. Life goes on. So when I do become quite emotional, it is an unusual feeling for me. I'm pretty sure I know why and when this started, but thats for me to know and you to wonder about.
My biggest struggle in Germany is blatantly clear to anyone who knows me even remotely well or anyone that has step foot inside my apartment. I spend 99% of the time repressing thoughts, memories and emotions. Its the 1% I am terrified of; the 1% of my time where I fear I will be anywhere but home alone. The 1% of the time when I am NOT in control of myself. The 1% of the time I feel vulnerable and deep breaths with closed eyes aren't enough to suppress the aching.
This whole experience has been about sacrifice for everyone. There is no sacrifice that anyone has that is any greater or inferior than another's. In one sense, we are all in this together. Things are beautiful, amicable and jovial on the outside, but we are all a gooey mess on the inside. Uprooted from everything and especially everyone who is important to us. The pictures are beautiful, the opportunity is unique, but 1% of the time is spent questioning everything. 1% sometimes feels like 99%.
Strength.
Prayers for strength are the most numerous they have ever been in my life and I am sure in many of my colleagues' lives as well. The importance is immeasurable.
Behind every smile is a tear shed for those we love.
I feel disconnected. I might as well be on an island. Pure disconnect. Time goes on and sentences get shorter, Days get "fine"r. I don't know how to fix it. I don't know how to put a sticker on it that smells like strawberries when you scratch it. I just don't know.
The bottom of the "W."
Strength.
Another day. Another beautiful picture, another incredible adventure. Smile. Everything will be ok. Strength. Always, strength.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Howdy there Amerikanerin
Once upon a time there was an American going home from work. She thought she looked normal. Work jacket on and jeans. No hat. Two Germans rode by in the opposite direction, looked and said "Howdy."
So what is it? The infamous tattoo on the forehead that tells secrets? "Caution: American" I understand it has been well announced about the arrival of ~60 Americans in this small German city. However, there are 10,000 people that work at my plant. How did they just HAPPEN to yell "howdy" at the right time? Oh well. I am more so curious as to what it is about my demeanor to give "it" away. I was riding a bike. Last I knew, you are pretty limited on how to ride a bike - although it wasn't part of my cultural training on how to ride a bike like a German so I guess I don't know for sure.
It's been one month since I lived in the eastern time zone. The things I miss about the US are pretty much limited to specific people. I did cheat and have my mom send me some hazelnut creamer though. Germans don't have flavored creamers and to any coffee loving American, this is a travesty. HOWEVER, their machines are far superior than our $15 Walmart coffee pots. I know a few in our group planning on making the $1,000 investment into a German machine. I am already trying to think of ways to bribe or blackmail these people so I can get them to bring me some coffee every morning. I have a long time to think about some clever ways. Ideas are welcome, but the resulting coffee is all mine.
Trips:
Since my last blog I have been to Munich and Salzburg again. I stayed one night in Munich and just scratched the surface on what there is to see/do there. My favorite place thus far was the Hofbrauhaus.
I had an idea in my head on what a proper German bar should feel like. Including what it should look like, sound like, and smell like. I had yet to fulfill this yearning until I walked through the double door at the Hofbrauhaus...
I am hoping he lost a bet or something and thus had to wear a dress.
Salzburg was awesome as usual. This trip was more for shopping, but we did manage to head towards the fort. The Adidas outlet store is worth a trip. The Designer Outlet mall was a very nice mall. There were a few good deals there, but nothing spectacular.
I had a wonderful experience last Friday night of losing my keys. If anything could go wrong, it did. I was so friggin agitated at myself. I did find them, however, after 2.5 hours of phone calls and bike rides. Luckily there was plenty of German helles weiss bier at the end of the day to save me.
Wow, that was kind of a boring blog, sorry. I'll try to so something more entertaining this week.
So what is it? The infamous tattoo on the forehead that tells secrets? "Caution: American" I understand it has been well announced about the arrival of ~60 Americans in this small German city. However, there are 10,000 people that work at my plant. How did they just HAPPEN to yell "howdy" at the right time? Oh well. I am more so curious as to what it is about my demeanor to give "it" away. I was riding a bike. Last I knew, you are pretty limited on how to ride a bike - although it wasn't part of my cultural training on how to ride a bike like a German so I guess I don't know for sure.
It's been one month since I lived in the eastern time zone. The things I miss about the US are pretty much limited to specific people. I did cheat and have my mom send me some hazelnut creamer though. Germans don't have flavored creamers and to any coffee loving American, this is a travesty. HOWEVER, their machines are far superior than our $15 Walmart coffee pots. I know a few in our group planning on making the $1,000 investment into a German machine. I am already trying to think of ways to bribe or blackmail these people so I can get them to bring me some coffee every morning. I have a long time to think about some clever ways. Ideas are welcome, but the resulting coffee is all mine.
Trips:
Since my last blog I have been to Munich and Salzburg again. I stayed one night in Munich and just scratched the surface on what there is to see/do there. My favorite place thus far was the Hofbrauhaus.
I had an idea in my head on what a proper German bar should feel like. Including what it should look like, sound like, and smell like. I had yet to fulfill this yearning until I walked through the double door at the Hofbrauhaus...
Truly a fantastic experience. The band was playing and random tables would burst into song occasionally. You could quite easily pick out the old gents who had been coming to the HB most of their lives. Another fantabulous aspect of HB was walking around and coming across some very funny (drunk) people...
Salzburg was awesome as usual. This trip was more for shopping, but we did manage to head towards the fort. The Adidas outlet store is worth a trip. The Designer Outlet mall was a very nice mall. There were a few good deals there, but nothing spectacular.
I had a wonderful experience last Friday night of losing my keys. If anything could go wrong, it did. I was so friggin agitated at myself. I did find them, however, after 2.5 hours of phone calls and bike rides. Luckily there was plenty of German helles weiss bier at the end of the day to save me.
Wow, that was kind of a boring blog, sorry. I'll try to so something more entertaining this week.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Schneekirche
I am so grateful to the wife of a colleague who researched and found the "Snow Church." The pictures on the internet are unbelievable (www.schneekirche.de), but to see it in person....wow. THEN to realize this is the 100th anniversary of the original church which is the only reason why it was built this winter...wow. What a great opportunity!
The drive was, of course, beautiful as are all extended drives in Germany. As we entered the Bavarian forest, the snow became deeper and the trees became whiter. Kind of reminds me of the crazy guy on TV who paints perfect pictures. I can never remember his name....you know who I am talking about....the guy with the monotone voice who is a little on the weird side with the poofy orange hair. Its like someone took the time to make sure every leaf on every branch had the perfect amount of snow to amount to a beautiful painting.
Ten of us embarked on this excursion. Two cars. This was also the first time I had ever driven on the autobahn. That was a trip. I got the car up to 180 km/h (the max because it has snow "shoes" on so driving any faster is dangerous.) I passed a few people so I felt like a big shot. =)
Anyways, we arrived in the city whose name I can neither remember nor pronounce... Mitterfirmiansreut. Right on the border of the Czech Republic. We were in dire need of a restroom. One of the boys decided to brag a little and did as Germans do...turn the snow yellow. The REST of us had to venture off with crossed legs to find die toiletten.
After a big sigh of relief, we mustered again and set off to find the church. The snow banks were incredibly high so we just had to stop for some photo ops and satisfy our inner tourist urge...oooh ooh me next....cheeeeeeeese....
We were brilliant and conned 2 interpreters to accompany us on this trip. Talking to a guide lingering around the church, we discovered this church was not constructed every year. This was solely done as a recreation of the original snow church from 100 years ago. (I'm sure it also said this on the information display as well as the website, but I know as much German as a 2 year old so I had no clue.)
The entire structure is built only of ice and snow except for the "steeple" which has a wood frame for support. The inside was awe-inspiring and the impact it would have at night can only be fathomed...
Very neat church. Very neat experience. They also sold Gluhwein at a small stand outside of the church. We all stood around watching the other visitors come and go, basking in the whole experience.
GPS's are great. MORE than great. How did people ever survive without them?? Apparently mine was set to avoid highways and we were not aware of this so we ended up going through the middle of Passau. That was pretty awesome. I was actually grateful we went an abstract way home to be able to see this picturesque city. I was busy trying to drive but a colleague managed to snap some pictures. I'll have to steal them and post.
All in all, it was truly a wonderful day. I am trying to really "live it up" while I am here. The snow church was only 2 hours away and we were home by dinner. The drive itself is worth a trip to nowhere. To have good company and a unique experience to boot, just makes it that much better.
Sidenote about the whole peeing outdoors thing: I'm totally serious. Almost every time I go somewhere, there is a guy on the side of the road letting it fly in the breeze. Even on the road from Munich on our very first day, SHABAM! Not even trying to be discreet or hiding behind a car door. Woah. Ok. So for as much as I am trying to be German as I live here, I think I'll still use the toilet and be just a tad American. =) (No pun intended for specific readers....) lololol
The drive was, of course, beautiful as are all extended drives in Germany. As we entered the Bavarian forest, the snow became deeper and the trees became whiter. Kind of reminds me of the crazy guy on TV who paints perfect pictures. I can never remember his name....you know who I am talking about....the guy with the monotone voice who is a little on the weird side with the poofy orange hair. Its like someone took the time to make sure every leaf on every branch had the perfect amount of snow to amount to a beautiful painting.
Ten of us embarked on this excursion. Two cars. This was also the first time I had ever driven on the autobahn. That was a trip. I got the car up to 180 km/h (the max because it has snow "shoes" on so driving any faster is dangerous.) I passed a few people so I felt like a big shot. =)
Anyways, we arrived in the city whose name I can neither remember nor pronounce... Mitterfirmiansreut. Right on the border of the Czech Republic. We were in dire need of a restroom. One of the boys decided to brag a little and did as Germans do...turn the snow yellow. The REST of us had to venture off with crossed legs to find die toiletten.
After a big sigh of relief, we mustered again and set off to find the church. The snow banks were incredibly high so we just had to stop for some photo ops and satisfy our inner tourist urge...oooh ooh me next....cheeeeeeeese....
It looks awful cold, but in reality, it was quite pleasant. I say that in relative terms. It has been right around -10C since we arrived 2 weeks ago so with the current temps hovering around 0C, it truly felt like a heat wave. On we went...
The ticket booth. 5 Euro to view the church. On the way up the steep hill to the church, there were several snow sculptures...
Alas, behind the immense fog and breath of panting Americans, it appeared...
The entire structure is built only of ice and snow except for the "steeple" which has a wood frame for support. The inside was awe-inspiring and the impact it would have at night can only be fathomed...
Very neat church. Very neat experience. They also sold Gluhwein at a small stand outside of the church. We all stood around watching the other visitors come and go, basking in the whole experience.
GPS's are great. MORE than great. How did people ever survive without them?? Apparently mine was set to avoid highways and we were not aware of this so we ended up going through the middle of Passau. That was pretty awesome. I was actually grateful we went an abstract way home to be able to see this picturesque city. I was busy trying to drive but a colleague managed to snap some pictures. I'll have to steal them and post.
All in all, it was truly a wonderful day. I am trying to really "live it up" while I am here. The snow church was only 2 hours away and we were home by dinner. The drive itself is worth a trip to nowhere. To have good company and a unique experience to boot, just makes it that much better.
Sidenote about the whole peeing outdoors thing: I'm totally serious. Almost every time I go somewhere, there is a guy on the side of the road letting it fly in the breeze. Even on the road from Munich on our very first day, SHABAM! Not even trying to be discreet or hiding behind a car door. Woah. Ok. So for as much as I am trying to be German as I live here, I think I'll still use the toilet and be just a tad American. =) (No pun intended for specific readers....) lololol
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Today.
Today, I went to wipe my mouth and my lips froze to my jacket.
Today, I rode my bike home from work in a blizzard.
Today, I cooked bratworst and potatoes for dinner.
Today, there was about 30 minutes where I couldn't tell if I still had thighs or not.
Today, I dressed like a redneck to a stammtisch and jammed to some country music in my apartment.
Today, I almost cried at work because I came across a picture of Thomas in my iPod.
Today, I realized I love Germany.
Today, I realized I love the challenges of my job.
Today, I enjoyed having a full conversation with my German teacher in Spanish.
Today, I enjoyed the laughs with my coworkers and their spouses.
Today, I realized Blackberries are a completely inferior form of technology compared to iPhones.
Today, I rode my bike home from work in a blizzard.
Today, I cooked bratworst and potatoes for dinner.
Today, there was about 30 minutes where I couldn't tell if I still had thighs or not.
Today, I dressed like a redneck to a stammtisch and jammed to some country music in my apartment.
Today, I almost cried at work because I came across a picture of Thomas in my iPod.
Today, I realized I love Germany.
Today, I realized I love the challenges of my job.
Today, I enjoyed having a full conversation with my German teacher in Spanish.
Today, I enjoyed the laughs with my coworkers and their spouses.
Today, I realized Blackberries are a completely inferior form of technology compared to iPhones.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
I am one Hot Mess
I have made a right square fool of myself the past few days. Yesterday I was nervous because I had to ride my bike alone all the way to my office. Mind you, that was only my second day and my first impression of finding my way to the very back of the plant was like a rat trying to find a morsel of cheese in Texas. ALSO keep in mind it has been like -57F in the mornings so by the time I get ANYWHERE I can't tell I have thighs anymore between them being completely frozen solid. Its a weird feeling when you get off a bike and your legs are burning from a workout yet frozen from the ambient temperature. So anyways, I was trying to get in the gate and apparently I was using the wrong place to badge in or something. Well the gate guard was probably calling me an idiot in German - I didn't understand. Probably a good thing. My reply "Um I'm American. I don't know. Uh. Help." She looked at me cross-eyed, mumbled 500 more German words and then ran to grab another guard. She walked over and showed me what I was doing wrong and I'm sure had a jolly time making fun of me the rest of the day. Needless to say, I did navigate my way through Texas and found the office. OH - I almost forgot, so before I even got to the ever-complicated badge in place, I wasn't exactly sure what lane I should be in so I crossed in front of this poor car like 59 times trying to get out of his way. Such a dork.
For some reason I am also having problems going to restaurants. Besides the whole swiss cheese episode, there is this one Backerai that has it in for me. I went with a coworker's spouse one time and wanted to order a cappuccino while she bought some cakes. She rattled off 196 words (why do they say so many words for simple things) and of course I had no clue. After standing there with a blank redneck stare, I figured out what she was saying. Or so I thought. After about 5 min of standing there looking foolish, I realized I had to sit down and order, can't order from the counter. Well, today I tried to go back to this same bakery for lunch and ran into the same friggin problem. Then I could understand they were talking about me and Englisch and Americans, etc etc. I wanted to tell them, just wait until there are 70+ of us here!!! =)
I realize I stick out like a sore thumb. Doesn't bother me. I don't really do anything to stop myself from sticking out either. Yet. I'll be Germanized soon enough I reckon.
#1 I am driving the only Jaguar in town.
#2 My scarf and matching beanie have huge multi-colored balls on the top that scream Amerikanerin
#3 I've been sporting some cammo attire
#4 I have mastered the "huh" look
Side note: my butt better be buns of steel after riding a flippin bike everywhere for a year and a half. Watch out info-mercials.
Side note #2: I am getting really annoyed with myself that I hear German, but my thoughts are in Spanish so I speak half German and half Spanish. Its actually getting worse the more German I learn. =/ Kudos to multi-lingual folks who can keep it straight!!
Adios Servus!!
For some reason I am also having problems going to restaurants. Besides the whole swiss cheese episode, there is this one Backerai that has it in for me. I went with a coworker's spouse one time and wanted to order a cappuccino while she bought some cakes. She rattled off 196 words (why do they say so many words for simple things) and of course I had no clue. After standing there with a blank redneck stare, I figured out what she was saying. Or so I thought. After about 5 min of standing there looking foolish, I realized I had to sit down and order, can't order from the counter. Well, today I tried to go back to this same bakery for lunch and ran into the same friggin problem. Then I could understand they were talking about me and Englisch and Americans, etc etc. I wanted to tell them, just wait until there are 70+ of us here!!! =)
I realize I stick out like a sore thumb. Doesn't bother me. I don't really do anything to stop myself from sticking out either. Yet. I'll be Germanized soon enough I reckon.
#1 I am driving the only Jaguar in town.
#2 My scarf and matching beanie have huge multi-colored balls on the top that scream Amerikanerin
#3 I've been sporting some cammo attire
#4 I have mastered the "huh" look
Side note: my butt better be buns of steel after riding a flippin bike everywhere for a year and a half. Watch out info-mercials.
Side note #2: I am getting really annoyed with myself that I hear German, but my thoughts are in Spanish so I speak half German and half Spanish. Its actually getting worse the more German I learn. =/ Kudos to multi-lingual folks who can keep it straight!!
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Die Alpen
Oh. My. Goodness. It should be a requirement for ALL ex-pats to take a drive to the Alps. It was about an hour and a half drive and simply unbelievable. Three of us took the excursion with the intent to go snow tubing.
We stopped along the way and took some pictures but it is SO hard to convey the sheer beauty of the scenery. As the Alps finally came into view, all of us just froze in awe.
Once we made it to the destination, it was a little city in the middle of no where on the mountain. We parked the car and walked around. Lots of little shops, restaurants and of course, ski shops. I needed some snow boots and the 2 guys I was with needed ski pants so we went to three or four different stores. I had a bit of sticker shock though - 100 euros for a pair of snow boots - no thank you! They were $10 at Walmart before I left, but I had already shipped my crate and I was afraid of how much room would be in my suitcases. Good thing I didn't buy them because I couldn't have fit one more Qtip into any one of my four bags. Needless to say, I really didn't want to play in the snow with regular tennis shoes for fear of my feet getting wet. We all agreed to just look around and wait to snow tube next time around. It was a very cute little town so we took some time to walk around the block and look around. Lots of little shops and restaurants. We decided to stop for a coffee and a bite to eat. Our waitress spoke little English - make that NO English. She didn't even understand my redneck German believe it or not! Needless to say, it was a struggle to get something ordered. I ordered stilleswassa and received mineral water (those who know me well know I can't STAND anything carbonated.) I made up for it with a cappuccino. Then it came time to order food. I have been trying to "live German" so I ordered something that sounded German. One of my colleagues made the same guess at something to eat so we sat in anticipation of what we had actually ordered.
Here she comes. Food in hand. What does she bring.....
Yep. A plate of Swiss cheese. 48 pieces of Swiss cheese with 2 pretzels sticking up. No wonder she smiled with a "Silly Americans" grin. And what did my colleague get on his plate? Essentially, he received a plate full of 8 small hot dogs. We laughed so hard. I graciously traded 17 pieces of cheese for a hot dog. Good times. The worst part was that a couple sitting near by had gotten up from finishing their meal and as they left, the gentleman said "Enjoy your meal have a nice day." WHAT?!?!?! You just sat here and watched us hack the German language to pieces with our southern accents and you sat there and listened to me order a plate of cheese!!! REALLY??? Regardless, we decided to redeem ourselves with some dessert. I have been wanting to try and apple strudel but they were sold out. My colleague ordered another apple dessert and man...it was friggin awesome. I don't remember what it was called (I just realized I say that a lot).
By this time we had provided enough laughs for the entire restaurant so we decided it was time to leave this quaint little town.
We drove a little bit further up the mountain and stopped for a few photo ops:
Poor excuse for a Captain Morgan pose:
We stopped along the way and took some pictures but it is SO hard to convey the sheer beauty of the scenery. As the Alps finally came into view, all of us just froze in awe.
Once we made it to the destination, it was a little city in the middle of no where on the mountain. We parked the car and walked around. Lots of little shops, restaurants and of course, ski shops. I needed some snow boots and the 2 guys I was with needed ski pants so we went to three or four different stores. I had a bit of sticker shock though - 100 euros for a pair of snow boots - no thank you! They were $10 at Walmart before I left, but I had already shipped my crate and I was afraid of how much room would be in my suitcases. Good thing I didn't buy them because I couldn't have fit one more Qtip into any one of my four bags. Needless to say, I really didn't want to play in the snow with regular tennis shoes for fear of my feet getting wet. We all agreed to just look around and wait to snow tube next time around. It was a very cute little town so we took some time to walk around the block and look around. Lots of little shops and restaurants. We decided to stop for a coffee and a bite to eat. Our waitress spoke little English - make that NO English. She didn't even understand my redneck German believe it or not! Needless to say, it was a struggle to get something ordered. I ordered stilleswassa and received mineral water (those who know me well know I can't STAND anything carbonated.) I made up for it with a cappuccino. Then it came time to order food. I have been trying to "live German" so I ordered something that sounded German. One of my colleagues made the same guess at something to eat so we sat in anticipation of what we had actually ordered.
Here she comes. Food in hand. What does she bring.....
Yep. A plate of Swiss cheese. 48 pieces of Swiss cheese with 2 pretzels sticking up. No wonder she smiled with a "Silly Americans" grin. And what did my colleague get on his plate? Essentially, he received a plate full of 8 small hot dogs. We laughed so hard. I graciously traded 17 pieces of cheese for a hot dog. Good times. The worst part was that a couple sitting near by had gotten up from finishing their meal and as they left, the gentleman said "Enjoy your meal have a nice day." WHAT?!?!?! You just sat here and watched us hack the German language to pieces with our southern accents and you sat there and listened to me order a plate of cheese!!! REALLY??? Regardless, we decided to redeem ourselves with some dessert. I have been wanting to try and apple strudel but they were sold out. My colleague ordered another apple dessert and man...it was friggin awesome. I don't remember what it was called (I just realized I say that a lot).
By this time we had provided enough laughs for the entire restaurant so we decided it was time to leave this quaint little town.
We drove a little bit further up the mountain and stopped for a few photo ops:
Poor excuse for a Captain Morgan pose:
Point being, this was an incredible drive. Well worth it to spend a day enjoying a drive with great company.
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