Ubahn/World Cup Celebration Encounters

1. Totally hot indie dude with a beard. Now, normally I hate facial hair, but this guy was a part of the exception to that rule, because he totally looked like Geoff from Ace of Cakes, and was wearing a flannel. My roommates would’ve freaked. He gave me a knowing smile after one of the crazy World Cup celebrators tapped on the window and screamed “Deutschland! Deutschland! Grraaaaahhh!” We both kind of just shrugged and smiled, and then he went back to jamming to his super indie (I’m sure) music on his iPod.

2. Waiting for my train, I talked to a man from Turkey who spoke only German to me and I understood every word. Proof that body language is 90% of communication. We were mostly shaking our heads at the loud drunk people, but still. It was awesome that I could understand him, and he seemed to understand me. Kind of encouraging after my previous experiences with language.

Everyone was wearing the red, yellow and black flags, jerseys, hats, face paint, everything. Those annoying horns were everywhere. I was walking around Nymphenborg (palace with huge grounds) and I heard it every time we scored. (Four times). When it was over, horns were honking, people were screaming, dancing, singing… It was amazing. This country definitely has passion. And that was just the quarter finals!

I. LOVE. Art.

I went to the Alte Pinakothek the other day. That’s the big art Museum here in Munich. It was so great! I forgot how much I love looking at art. There’s just something about seeing it right there in front of you that is incredibly satisfying. I love to look at the brush strokes, the portrayals of emotions, the use of light… I didn’t realize I actually learned something in those humanities classes! It was so nice to wander around the museum at my own pace, headphones on, digesting and enjoying the work of all these famous, skilled painters. I highly recommend it. Once I got past the little bit of loneliness, it was so nice to walk around and form my own judgments about everything. It was an awesome day.

Here's some pics of some of my favorites:

Raphael

Da Vinci!!!

Durer

Durer

One of my favorites.

I loved the little boys in this.

Rembrandt

German

Language is an interesting beast. I didn’t realize it would be such a big deal for me. Everybody said, “Do you know ANY German?” and I was like, “Eh, no, no big deal, the family speaks English.” And they do. Speak English I mean, at least to me. But if they are just chatting with each other, or if they are talking to anybody else, or if I’m taking the kids to school, or if I go sign for a package with wet hair and mascara running down my face, or we go to a town function, or we grill with neighbors in the backyard, or pretty much anything else, its in German. Labels in German, signs in German, TV in German on and on. What did I expect? It is GERMANY for heaven’s sake. They’re allowed to speak their own language.

Its hard to really know NOTHING. I mean, if it was Spanish, I’d at least get the jist of things and be able to follow along. But German, not at all. I’ve never thought I really wanted to learn German. I mean, its not that big of a country, right? And they all learn English, right? But sitting there, next to two people who are speaking German to each other, or trying to make hand movements so that the neighbor girl understands me is hard. And it makes me feel like an idiot. What’s with that stupid American girl anyway. If she can’t speak German, why did she come? Why is she so awkward and quiet? But I can’t talk to them. Most wouldn’t understand, and how am I to know who would when all anyone ever speaks is German?

The hardest is little kids. They look at me, say something that sounds so sweet, and I just have to look at them like I’m stupid and say “Sorry, only English”, and they look at me and just blink a few times before turning away. I feel like a child. I don’t feel like myself. I feel like a bumbling fool!

Oh well, I guess. At least the mail-lady got to laugh at me, right? I guess I just need to do what my host mom says- "just smile and nod."

People Watching on the UBahn

Today, while I was sitting on the Ubahn (I love the Ubahn. Have I mentioned that?) I was people watching. So many people.

Four women sitting together who didn’t know each other. Everyone avoided everyone else’s gazes, but I looked at them and thought they all looked like they had something in common. I have no idea what it was, but I would love to read the book that connects their lives. Socks with sandals lady, handmade sweater with the tired eyes lady, frizzy hair with the layered clothes and book with child’s eyes on it, perfectly coifed lady who couldn’t wait to get out and smoke.

There was another lady on the train with thin lips and totally Utah poofed hair. She had to be from Utah or Idaho, she just had to be.

There was a blond American girl in a short skirt talking way too loud with food in her mouth who everyone stared at. “One time I had my birthay at the aquaaaairuhm”. “St. Louis has everything, yuh know?”

There was an African-looking guy with a scar under his eye who looked like an athlete and made me think of the world cup, and where he’s been, and why I think about where he’s been.

There was a beautifully saggy old woman with a cane and a candy-striped shirt that brought out the blue in her eyes. When she got on the train, the tired looking business man gave her his seat and they exchanged sincere smiles. She watched the two year old girl in the fisherman’s hat burrow into her mother and tried to hide her sad smile.

I really don’t know anything about these people, except that they are beautiful, and full of life. One lesson of the summer so far: The world is really big and full of people, and they all have lives and loved ones and pain and joy and all of that motivates them to do whatever they do every day. That was wordy, but I know what I meant.

A Sunny Day In Munich

Munich is beautiful.

I went to the Viktualen Market today, beautiful. Fun. Touristy, but also not. Flowers, wreaths, food food food. Such delicious food that I probably spent 45 min wandering around trying to pick something with the following qualifications: authentic, shopkeeper who could understand me, and cheap. In the end I got my first real Bavarian pretzel, and it was delish. Waaaay better than “ready time” or whatever. I think they actually do boil them. They taste like the mini pretzels, but big, and a little softer (but not too soft). It was great. Plus some yummy chicken and potato salad.

I walked around and tried to not feel a little lonely as I saw things and thought of my family- yarn shop, dad would love that, pretty wreath, I’d love to get that for mom, it be fun to send Matt that postcard. I really do like being on my own, picking everything (although honestly, I was about to go get Subway because I was so indecisive), choosing how to spend my time, having my own experiences to learn from and talk about, but I almost wish I had someone to analyze my experiences with. How drunk were those guys who told me to take a picture of them as I walked by? What language were those people speaking? Why is spargel (big, white asparagus) so popular?

I really am happy though. I’m so happy that I’m finally DOING something real, something great, something unique, something I’ll talk about with the people I love for the rest of my life. It will be my experience to compare all other experiences to. Not only do I get to live this now, but I get to bore my future children with it FOREVER! Bahaha! I really am happy, I really am. Just doing things on my own is new for me. Its good for me.

There. Proof I was there. Proof its awkward to take pictures of yourself. Proof I'm not good at it. But hey, I'm doing my best.

I also saw the glockenspiel on the nues rathaus. Its cute, but chintz and touristy. I should’ve taken a picture of all the people taking pictures, but I was too busy taking pictures of what everyone else was taking pictures of myself. :)

Krank

I learned a new word in German today.

"Krank"

Charlie woke up this morning feeling a bit sick. He went downstairs to Oma and Opa's, and...

Krank.

I tried to bring him back upstairs, and...

Krank.

I eventually got him upstairs and a little while later...

Krank.

Charlie didn't go to kindergarten today. Charlie ist krank. Thank heavens for Oma. I understand just about zero of what she says, but I already love her. She, (along with some of the cleaners from the bed and breakfast), cleaned up all the krank and I didn't even have to touch it. He is doing much better now, with the help of Coca-Cola and pretzel sticks from Oma.

Oh wow. I thought he was better. Just had to put the computer down...

Coke Krank.

At least he made it into the bucket. Ew. Sorry. Like you really wanted to read this. Get well soon Charlie!

Day 3: Dietersheim

Words I know in German:

Halo!= Hello!

Genau= Right (like "I understand", "True", not the direction)

Super= well, super.

Ja (Pronounced yah)= yes

Nein= no

Guten Mortgen= good morning

Danke= Thank you

Dietersheim is the village I live in. Its pronounced Dieter's (like Elder Uctdorf) hiem- like "to life, to life, la chaim" or like hi-em if your lacking in your Fiddler on the Roof knowledge.

It is beautiful here.

All the houses look like gingerbread houses. They're all white stucco with red terracotta roofs, wooden flower boxes full of flowers, shutters...

There's a farm next door with chickens and cows.

There are wheat fields a block away that rustle and sing like tiny bells in the wind.

Wild poppies and yellow wildflowers line the path through the nearby wood, where you can hear the Isar rushing by, punctuated by the cawing of crows.

The kindergarten is across the street, full of art projects, bright colors, and kids chattering away in German.

I'll post more pictures of the town another time, but just picture a Storybook village, and you've pretty much got Dietershiem down. I think Dieter must have really known what peace and beauty is.

Day 2: Munich

Today I woke up feeling way more rested. I was exhausted yesterday. So exhausted I didn't even realize it.

We got the kids off to school, and then Paula and I went into Munich. Bus+Subway+Us with no German skills=and adventure in and of itself. We made it, and it really wasn't that hard, so now I know how to do it. I just need to find a way to get a cheaper pass. 6,50 euro for a day pass is steep!

I was marveling and gawking just at the countryside and the nice train, and the lady with the soothing voice telling us which stop was next (whats with me and ladies with soothing voices?) But then we came out of the station right in Marienplatz. THIS is Marienplatz. Wow. I've seen so many pictures, but it was so cool to be there in person. Wow.

We walked all around, but it unfortunately it was really rainy. We shopped a bit, I bought a really cute umbrella, and I got my first German Bratwurst! I know, thats so touristy of me, but it was worth feeling touristy. It was DELICIOUS. Mmm. Craving another already.

Notice the dirndl and Bratwurst!

Paula was cold (and so was I, I was just too absorbed in everything to notice I was wet up to my knees and down to my shoulders) so we headed home a little early. Don't worry though, I'm going to have a million chances to explore the city. :)

I love this whole area already.

Coming Soon: "Culture Shock", "The Dang Cute Kids", and "Working Out the Details"

Day 1: The Flight and Arrival

I was really worried about the flight. Two connections to catch, sixteen hours of travel, and in the past I've been sick the whole time on the plane.

Can I just say that Dramamine is a God-send? It is. It saved me. I was NOT sick for 16 hours! Until you've been motion sick on long flights you can't know how awful it is, or appreciate how amazing it feels to not be sick. Hal-le-lu-ja.

After a great bunch of goodbyes from the family, I got in line at security at SLC International. It took a little while, but not too long, and I got through fine, except I forgot my bag on the x-ray machine. Oops. I turned around grabbed it right before they called the bomb squad. Ok probably not because the bag had already passed the check, but maybe. Got some Burger King, got to the terminal, sat down. Plenty of time to spare. I decided to check if Petra wrote back telling me where to meet her at the airport. As soon as my computer booted on, a lady with an annoyingly soothing voice came on: "Ladies and Gentlemen, we are sorry for the inconvenience, but flight blah blah blah to Minneapolis has been changed to gate blah blah all the way across the airport blah." Collective sigh. Collective shuffle to other side of airport. On the way, I talked to a lady from Ogden traveling for work. She was nice, and excited for me, and really annoyed about the gate change, because she had a quick connection.

No sooner did we sit down again, but to have the lady with the annoyingly soothing voice come on again. "Ladies and Gentlemen... blah blah blah your gate is back to the terminal before, right next to the gate it was before." I'm pretty sure that the collective sigh, was much more like a very loud groan/grumble/expletive explosion. The lady I was talking to was sure she wouldn't make her connection now. I was hoping that mine would be okay too, because my layover in Minneapolis to get onto the flight to Amsterdam was only 1 hour. Like I wasn't already anxious enough about making connections all by myself.

I got on, got in the wrong seat, got that pointed out, mutually decided not to switch, (I had a window seat). I immediately took the Dramamine, and oh how glad I am that I did. I listened to Rick Steve's radio show about "flying coach", and the flight was great. Not bad at all, and the view on the way into Minneapolis was really nice. I'd like to go there sometime.

We were a little delayed when the flight came in, so I rushed across the airport and got right on the next plane. Holy huge plane. I guess it was the A330 or something like that. So many people. Nice flight attendants. I sat next to a window, next to a man who was REALLY excited to get, as he put it "Boozed up". I think during the flight he had two vodkas, two or three glasses of wine, a beer or two, and then LOTS of coffee in the morning. This was my first experience turning down the beverages. I didn't think about how often that would happen. All people drink in Europe is coffee, tea, and alcohol. I'd better get used to it.

The trans-Atlantic flight was not too bad. It was long, to be sure, but the big plane minimized the turbulence, and the stewardesses were really nice. The guy I sat next to really was fine, and he was excited for me and my adventure too. He even took a picture of me right before we left.

I watched Valentine's Day (as mediocre as everyone said) and then ate dinner (fine), and then tried to sleep. It was weird, because it never actually got dark! We were just chasing the sun I guess. Weird. I tried to sleep, taking some Valerian, and drifted in and out, once in a while waking up to check the monitor telling me where we were and the window to see what I could see (only the top of the clouds. The top of the clouds really do look like cotton balls.) When we were flying over the British Isles the sun started rising. I could only see the reflection on the wing, but it was still very pretty.

The view as I came into Amsterdam was gorgeous. I was excited to stretch my legs! I was worried about making my connecting flight, but the Amsterdam airport is set up nicely, so despite my flight being at the gate farthes away from the one I arrived, I made it just fine.

The last leg of the flight was super short, and no problem at all (well, it was a small plane, and we hit some turbulence, but like I said, Dramamine is amazing.) I talked the whole time with a guy probably about my age from the town just on the German side of Salzburg. He told me all about the many things to do in Munich, emphasizing the beer and saying "but at least you must try, Bavarian beer is the best in the world!" Oh well. He thought I was a crazy American girl, which I guess I am, so no worries.

Once I got off the plane in Munich, I had no idea where to go. I never got a chance to check my email. This is Germany! This is Germany! I know ZERO German! What am I going to do?!?! As soon as I figured out I didn't have wireless internet, Petra walked in the doors with a bright yellow sign with my name on it. Yes! That was easy! I am here! Wahoo!

We went straight to the grocery store, because she had taken the day off, and needed to go, and right away I had a cultural experience. So interesting! Some things in Germany cost WAY more, like the backpack she bought for her son for 50 euros, and some thing less, like cheese for like a euro a pound! (I should make fondue while I am here!) I even got some curly mousse for my hair. Woot. Somewhat tame the beast that my hair becomes in this humidity.

We went to the bank, to get me an account, and then I met Paula, the old au-pair who's leaving soon, and the kids, who for the purpose of safety I'll call Charlie(5) and Lola(3), when we went and picked them up from Kindergarten. Thants what they call it. I think its a mix between daycare and preschool. Super cute little school, I'll have to take pictures sometime.

After lunch we took the kids to Hannah's house. I already LOVE Hannah. She is an awesome mom, great with kids, great at English (and German, and French). Her two little girls are ADORABLE! All the kids switch seamlessly from German to English and back, its so cool. We went to the cute park around the corner... Everything in Dietersheim (the village) is adorable. I love it. Like gingerbread houses or something, plus its super green. Beautiful. I'll post pictures another time.

We ate dinner, played, and I talked to my family on Skype. Love Skype. May or may not give my left arm for it, if necessary. Its so great. All calls should be free video calls all the time!

After that, I finally took a shower (well, kind of a bath. I was sitting down in the tub, and then there was a showerhead that I could use too) and then went to bed. I zonked so fast... it was amazing. Before I knew it it was morning again, but I guess thats day two.

This post is ridiculously long, and you probably started skimming five paragraphs ago, but its a good record for me. Maybe I should make two blogs, a journal blog with all the details and then another one with all the interesting stuff. Heh, I'll think about it. Anyway, I just want to say, that I feel ready for this. I know its not going to be easy. I'm going to be working. A lot. And going going going all day. A lot. But I really do feel like I was guided here, and after all, "All these things shall give the EXPERIENCE..."