Guten Tag everyone! We have arrived safe and sound and have had a busy first 24 hours. The plane ride was as smooth as we could have asked for! Our lovely flight attendant, Sonia, spoiled the girls rotten with many games and treats! The girls slept 5+ hours and Tim and I caught a few winks:0 Customs went fast and off we went in our new (although smokey smelling) rental car FILLED with luggage. After a short trip to Starbucks in Heidleberg, we ventured off to see our new potential apartment. Looks like the place we'll stay - in Ludenburg. The family that owns it lives above us and has 2 little girls - ages 6 & 9. The apt. is a little farther from the downtown area then hoped, but it is in a nice neighborhood with a market and (I think) bakery round the corner. The only semi concerning part is that not very many people in this smaller town seem to speak English. That has my heart racing and my nerves shot, but maybe it will be a great blessing and a way to TRULY learn and understand the culture. There's really no other possible apartment on the radar right now, so the plan is to move in on Saturday! It's actually a pretty large place with all amenities - just needs a good cleaning "linda style"!! We enjoyed some delicious pizza in downtown Ladenburg and then went to bed at the good 'ol Marriot!
Today, Tim was off to work early and the girls and I have had a brave day! We slept in, went swimming, showered and hailed a taxi to the Haupstrasse (downtown) for lunch. We wandered around, found a hotdog and then decided we'd just walk back! After an hour+ journey, we arrived back at the hotel. We are now swimming again to stay awake until Daddy comes back!
So, overall, a great start! I will admit that I'm having a small culture shock as reality sets in that I'm living in a place where I cannot read the signs, understand most people and often have no idea what I might be eating!!! I'm praying for a sense of peace and increased confidence to embark on this journey as I have been wanting to and dreaming about for some time now! The girls are doing so well - seeming to be handling the jet lag better then me - and are their normal happy selves! Our hotel is right non the river so we they're enjoying watching the many barges and kayakers going by. It is extremely beautiful here with many spring flowers blooming already! A few weeks ahead of CO for sure:)I will add pictures to the blog shortly - I need Tim's computer for that!!
I'll end on this funny (at least now it is) story....so...yesterday while stopping at a market for a potty break...I LOCKED MYSELF IN THE BATHROOM!!! Yep...stupid American couldn't figure out the lock and stood there jiggling the door forever! Some german man was trying to help me but couldn't speak English. Finally, a worker came and unlocked it. She showed me how to turn it TWO turns to the right and then back TWO turns to the left --ugh!!!! So..the journey begins!
Love to you all - and missing you tremendously!
Linda
Guten Tag! Donke shein for sharing your first day. Praying you adjust quickly and enjoy your adventure every day. - Gary
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear that all is well and you have found a humble abode for the next 5 months! Looking forward to pics! It's always hard to be in an unfamiliar place but remember that just like when you first start driving - pretty soon you will be so comfortable and sure of your surroundings that these feelings will be a distant memory :) Just have to ride it out ... and enjoy the ride! lol laughing about the bathroom - learn something new everyday right? Missing you guys and have a pastry for us! Tarryn
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Linda. You are going to do great, just give yourself a little time to adjust and before you know it you will feel at home! Ok, and locking yourself in the bathroom was the only way you were going to learn how the locks worked in Germany! Better in public where someone could let you out than when you are alone in your apartment! Tell the girls and Tim we said hi and keep up the great blog. Kris
ReplyDeleteOh we were so excited to see a posting! We all read it at playdate today. It's got to be so hard at times. That discomfort of anything so new, whether it be a new job, new country, whatever, is so tough for a while and then before you know it you're becoming comfortable and more confident and so proud to have conquered something new. Bravo to you! Love, Jen
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