September 30, 2012 -- Black Friday on Sunday!
One of the things that you have to get used to in Germany (I think most of Europe) is that almost everything is closed on Sunday. That's right, no grocery stores, no shopping malls, no IKEAs. The only places that are open are gas stations, restaurants and bakeries (at least in the morning). As you can image, stores are usually very crowded on Saturdays as a result. Yesterday, Chris and I went to the mall and discovered that this mall was having Sunday shopping hours on September 30th from 1 pm to 7 pm -- we are not sure why?! However, clearly an unusual event in Germany. C left on a trip at 7 am this morning. That left S, K and I with nothing to do. S, surprise, surprise, suggested the mall. (S is going to London for a Model U.N. Conference and needed proper clothing.) So off we went to the mall. I figured we would get there a little before 1 pm and beat the crowd. The mall is about 20 minutes from us. About a 1/2 mile from the exit for the mall, we hit bumper to bumper traffic. After sitting in 25 minutes worth of traffic, we found our way into a parking lot and found a parking space. Our shopping trip was a success -- 2 pairs of pants, a sweater and a skirt for S and 3 shirts for K. The mall was crowded, but tolerable. At around 4 pm, we left the mall for home. On the other side of the highway, there was a 2 mile backup by the exit for the mall. Truly, shopping in Germany on a Sunday is not as bad as Black Friday, but it is clearly an event! Good thing, C was not home -- he would not have waited in traffic to get into the mall!!
Sunday, September 30, 2012
September 29, 2012 --" Can I have zwei Hühnchen?"
September 29, 2012 -- S makes fun of me!
S and I went to the Farmer's Market today. There is a market on Wednesday and Saturday mornings in Oberursel. In addition to vegetable and fruit stands, there are all sorts of items sold in various trucks -- poultry, pork, sausages, cheese, bread, pastries to name some of them. I went to the market to purchase chicken breasts with the bone-in. So, I went up to the truck and asked "Can I have zwei Hühnchen." S laughed. She said do you realize how many times you start a sentence in English and finish it in German. The sad part is that I can say "I would like two chickens" in German -- Ich möchte zwie Hühnchen. However, old habits die hard.
S and I went to the Farmer's Market today. There is a market on Wednesday and Saturday mornings in Oberursel. In addition to vegetable and fruit stands, there are all sorts of items sold in various trucks -- poultry, pork, sausages, cheese, bread, pastries to name some of them. I went to the market to purchase chicken breasts with the bone-in. So, I went up to the truck and asked "Can I have zwei Hühnchen." S laughed. She said do you realize how many times you start a sentence in English and finish it in German. The sad part is that I can say "I would like two chickens" in German -- Ich möchte zwie Hühnchen. However, old habits die hard.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
September 21 -- September 27 -- Some MacIntosh Stories
September 21st -- September 27th -- MacIntosh Is Like Having a Two Year Old Toddler
I know that my sister will want Ana to have equal billing, but the reality is that Ana is a good dog who does what she is told. Alas, she is not as entertaining. I did, however, post a picture of her today on Facebook so that everyone can see that she is not only good, but beautiful as well.
MAC THE CALM GOOD DOG -- Not!!!
O.k. so onto Mac -- We had our neighbors over for dinner last Saturday and we were explaining the chewed off corner of my dining room table. We quickly added, Mac is over that explaining that she has been great since coming over. We told them -- she is clearly calming down. So we thought . . . I woke up on Sunday morning to a whimpering Mac. She had to go out. I walked into the room and yes, Mac had chewed the arm on her couch. So much for the calm good dog thing. I immediately took out the "Knabber Stopp" I bought in the pet store here in Oberursel and sprayed the couch. (Of course I had purchased the spray -- German equivalent of the Green Apple spray in the States -- but silly me, I did not think I needed it so I had not sprayed the couch). My first bad Mac decision of the week.
MAC DECIDES SHE LIKES MY COUCH BETTER THAN HERS
On Monday morning, I left for German class. I decided that I would leave Mac loose on the main floor. (When I am home (even upstairs), Mac usually lies on the rug near the glass door in the back of the house and soaks up the rays.) I figured she would do the same when I was out and do less damage then if I locked her in her room. I returned from German class an hour and a half later and was greeted at the door by the dogs. I went over to the couch in the living room (a couch that Mac is not allowed on) and I felt the couch. It was warm. Apparently, that couch is better as it is not damaged and it does not have Knabber Stopp on it. I also noticed a chewed couch pillow. Yes, that was my second bad Mac decision of the week. Over the course of the day, I kicked Mac off of MY COUCH three times. Later that day, Mac ripped a hole in her nice new virtually indestructible bed.
LUNCH WITH MAC IS AN EVENT
On Tuesday, I had two women over for lunch (my neighbor and the wife of one of Chris's colleagues). Thankfully, both of them like dogs. In fact, Anne came over, in part, to meet the dogs. Mac quickly made her presence known as she went over and licked the cheese sitting on the coffee table. After that incident, she settled down and chewed a bone. I thought to myself -- oh, good she is behaving. Yeah, not so much. By the end of the lunch, Mac drank out of Anne's coffee cup and went over on sat on her as she sat on the couch. Because Mac considers herself a lap dog, she does not understand why it is a problem for her to sit on people.
MAC IS READY FOR THE REAL WILD BOARS!
On Wednesday, I went to the pet store and bought some toys to keep Mac out of trouble. This morning as I was cleaning up I gave Mac a toy. The toy was a rubber wild boar. (Believe it or not, there are wild boars in the forest behind our house. Our neighbors were telling us some stories about the wild boars attacking small dogs and explained that they are particularly vicious when they are protecting their young. They added that you should not walk in the forest at sunrise or at dusk.) The rubber toy not only looks funny, but it makes a great snorting pig sound. When I gave it to Mac, she pawed it and growled at it. She batted the toy around for a half hour and then began chewing it. Everytime she clamped down, the pig made the funny snorting sound and each time Mac whined and growled at it. As I watched her, it was clear to me that she truly is a toddler -- a toddler with a strong jaw and large teeth. The pig was destroyed within an hour.
Since the pups have been here, I walk with them in the woods every day. At first, I took them separately. I now take them together. They do pretty well -- although Mac really does not like horses and Ana has to stop and mark her territory every five seconds.
Mac clearly has made an impression on the people she has encountered. Many think she is beautiful, but others look on in terror as we walk by them. Today, two women shrieked and ran to the side of the path. Mac just walked past them prancing like a pony.
Move over Clifford the Red Dog and Marley -- Here Comes Mac! AKA Mac Attack, Destructo Dog
I know that my sister will want Ana to have equal billing, but the reality is that Ana is a good dog who does what she is told. Alas, she is not as entertaining. I did, however, post a picture of her today on Facebook so that everyone can see that she is not only good, but beautiful as well.
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| Anna the Good Dog |
MAC THE CALM GOOD DOG -- Not!!!
O.k. so onto Mac -- We had our neighbors over for dinner last Saturday and we were explaining the chewed off corner of my dining room table. We quickly added, Mac is over that explaining that she has been great since coming over. We told them -- she is clearly calming down. So we thought . . . I woke up on Sunday morning to a whimpering Mac. She had to go out. I walked into the room and yes, Mac had chewed the arm on her couch. So much for the calm good dog thing. I immediately took out the "Knabber Stopp" I bought in the pet store here in Oberursel and sprayed the couch. (Of course I had purchased the spray -- German equivalent of the Green Apple spray in the States -- but silly me, I did not think I needed it so I had not sprayed the couch). My first bad Mac decision of the week.
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| Arm of the couch -- note the rip and the white stuffing exposed |
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| This would Mac -- Instead of lying on her damaged couch she is in her bed (This too would be ripped open by Monday afternoon) |
MAC DECIDES SHE LIKES MY COUCH BETTER THAN HERS
On Monday morning, I left for German class. I decided that I would leave Mac loose on the main floor. (When I am home (even upstairs), Mac usually lies on the rug near the glass door in the back of the house and soaks up the rays.) I figured she would do the same when I was out and do less damage then if I locked her in her room. I returned from German class an hour and a half later and was greeted at the door by the dogs. I went over to the couch in the living room (a couch that Mac is not allowed on) and I felt the couch. It was warm. Apparently, that couch is better as it is not damaged and it does not have Knabber Stopp on it. I also noticed a chewed couch pillow. Yes, that was my second bad Mac decision of the week. Over the course of the day, I kicked Mac off of MY COUCH three times. Later that day, Mac ripped a hole in her nice new virtually indestructible bed.
LUNCH WITH MAC IS AN EVENT
On Tuesday, I had two women over for lunch (my neighbor and the wife of one of Chris's colleagues). Thankfully, both of them like dogs. In fact, Anne came over, in part, to meet the dogs. Mac quickly made her presence known as she went over and licked the cheese sitting on the coffee table. After that incident, she settled down and chewed a bone. I thought to myself -- oh, good she is behaving. Yeah, not so much. By the end of the lunch, Mac drank out of Anne's coffee cup and went over on sat on her as she sat on the couch. Because Mac considers herself a lap dog, she does not understand why it is a problem for her to sit on people.
MAC IS READY FOR THE REAL WILD BOARS!
On Wednesday, I went to the pet store and bought some toys to keep Mac out of trouble. This morning as I was cleaning up I gave Mac a toy. The toy was a rubber wild boar. (Believe it or not, there are wild boars in the forest behind our house. Our neighbors were telling us some stories about the wild boars attacking small dogs and explained that they are particularly vicious when they are protecting their young. They added that you should not walk in the forest at sunrise or at dusk.) The rubber toy not only looks funny, but it makes a great snorting pig sound. When I gave it to Mac, she pawed it and growled at it. She batted the toy around for a half hour and then began chewing it. Everytime she clamped down, the pig made the funny snorting sound and each time Mac whined and growled at it. As I watched her, it was clear to me that she truly is a toddler -- a toddler with a strong jaw and large teeth. The pig was destroyed within an hour.
Since the pups have been here, I walk with them in the woods every day. At first, I took them separately. I now take them together. They do pretty well -- although Mac really does not like horses and Ana has to stop and mark her territory every five seconds.
Mac clearly has made an impression on the people she has encountered. Many think she is beautiful, but others look on in terror as we walk by them. Today, two women shrieked and ran to the side of the path. Mac just walked past them prancing like a pony.
Move over Clifford the Red Dog and Marley -- Here Comes Mac! AKA Mac Attack, Destructo Dog
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| One Wild Boar who no longer has a snout! |
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
September 19, 2012 -- A Beautiful Day in Oberursel
September 19th
Soon I will be off to the Italian Store in Wiesbaden. To start the day, I took a walk (not in the mood for a run) with Mac. It gave me an opportunity to bring my camera and take a few more pictures of the forest behind our house (this time I remembered to take off the lens cover that takes away the glare -- no need for that in the forest). Here a a few pictures! Of course, Mac has to be in a few!
Soon I will be off to the Italian Store in Wiesbaden. To start the day, I took a walk (not in the mood for a run) with Mac. It gave me an opportunity to bring my camera and take a few more pictures of the forest behind our house (this time I remembered to take off the lens cover that takes away the glare -- no need for that in the forest). Here a a few pictures! Of course, Mac has to be in a few!
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| Yes, I am a beauty! |
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| Notice the leash -- you can't let go! |
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
September 18, 2012 -- Ana Passes the Test
September 18, 2012
Well, we can no longer call her "killer" Ana. Just as the kennel manager predicted, Ana was great with the other dogs. I guess if you can put up with MacIntosh you can put with any other dog as well. We headed out at 10:00 am after finding the proof of insurance (you must insure your dogs in Germany). Ana stayed until 3:00 pm with no incident.
Well, we can no longer call her "killer" Ana. Just as the kennel manager predicted, Ana was great with the other dogs. I guess if you can put up with MacIntosh you can put with any other dog as well. We headed out at 10:00 am after finding the proof of insurance (you must insure your dogs in Germany). Ana stayed until 3:00 pm with no incident.
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| The Name of the Kennel |
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| The View From the Parking Area |
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| The Entrance to the Kennel |
Monday, September 17, 2012
September 14, 2012
September 14, 2012
Today I had an appointment for Ana and Mac to visit a kennel outside of Frankfurt. Many of the kennels in Germany want to meet your dogs before they will consider taking them as boarders. So off Ana, Mac and I went to a kennel by the name of Frank's Hunde Training located 40 minutes from Oberursel. We drove for a while and ended up in the country. Mac usually gets car sick, but I guess she has gotten better -- flying over the ocean for more than 6 hours will do that I guess. I got to the town, but I could not find the kennel. I did my usual thing. I found a man and asked "Sprechen Sie Englisch?" He said "nein" -- not a good answer for me. So, I looked at him, pointed to Mac in the backseat and said " Hunde Haus" (literal translation -- Dog House). He looked at me for a second and then said -- "Ha, trei hundert meters" and pointed up the road. Success, I found the place. I took Ana and Mac out of the car. Both of them were well behaved. They met the kennel manager who instantly fell in love. He quickly said '' "no problem we will take the dogs." I put them back in the car and he explained how 30 dogs play in the yard together after breakfast and that Ana and Mac would share a room. I, of course, started to explain that while Ana looked sweet and innocent she has had her moments. He assured me that in his 30 years of running a kennel, he has never had an issue with a lab, much less a female lab. I once again explained "killer" Ana's history. We agreed that Ana would have a trial half day on September 18th. So, Tuesday, Ana returns for a daycare visit. He once again reiterated that he had never had any issues with female labs. Hopefully, Ana will not be his first.
Today I had an appointment for Ana and Mac to visit a kennel outside of Frankfurt. Many of the kennels in Germany want to meet your dogs before they will consider taking them as boarders. So off Ana, Mac and I went to a kennel by the name of Frank's Hunde Training located 40 minutes from Oberursel. We drove for a while and ended up in the country. Mac usually gets car sick, but I guess she has gotten better -- flying over the ocean for more than 6 hours will do that I guess. I got to the town, but I could not find the kennel. I did my usual thing. I found a man and asked "Sprechen Sie Englisch?" He said "nein" -- not a good answer for me. So, I looked at him, pointed to Mac in the backseat and said " Hunde Haus" (literal translation -- Dog House). He looked at me for a second and then said -- "Ha, trei hundert meters" and pointed up the road. Success, I found the place. I took Ana and Mac out of the car. Both of them were well behaved. They met the kennel manager who instantly fell in love. He quickly said '' "no problem we will take the dogs." I put them back in the car and he explained how 30 dogs play in the yard together after breakfast and that Ana and Mac would share a room. I, of course, started to explain that while Ana looked sweet and innocent she has had her moments. He assured me that in his 30 years of running a kennel, he has never had an issue with a lab, much less a female lab. I once again explained "killer" Ana's history. We agreed that Ana would have a trial half day on September 18th. So, Tuesday, Ana returns for a daycare visit. He once again reiterated that he had never had any issues with female labs. Hopefully, Ana will not be his first.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
September 12, 2012 -- A Walk In the Woods
September 12th
I decided to take a break from building furniture and went for a 2 mile run. About a block from our house are acres and acres of forest and meadow. After I ran, I came back and got Mac. We walked the two mile trail and then came home. Ana, of course, was waiting at the door so I left Mac in the yard (it is fenced in) and took Ana for the same walk in the woods. Mac was less than happy when I left her in the yard and when I returned she managed to escape. She started running around the neighborhood scaring a few pedestrians. Within a short time, I was able to grab her. She did give me quite a scare. I will have to be more careful when I am opening the gate.
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| Ana posing for a picture in the forest |
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| One of the pathways in the forest one block from our house |
September 11, 2012 -- Mac's Couch -- A Challenge But Worth It!
September 11, 2012
O.k., I promise that this is my last IKEA story. On Monday, I went to my now "favorite" store and purchased a couch and a bed for the guestroom -- HINT HINT WE WILL BE READY FOR GUESTS BY THE END OF THE WEEK. Needless to say, I could not fit these items in my car so gathered what I purchased and went to Transport. In addition to having them delivered, I wanted to have them assembled. The date for assembly did not work for me so I decided I would brave it on my own and assemble the pieces. Without assembly, the deliver date was the next day between 7 am and 2 pm (a lovely window). So, I wake the next morning and get K and S to the bus stop. (YES, I said the bus stop. The bus comes at 8:08 and they get to school by 8:25. The bus that picks them up is a huge coach bus -- like the buses U.S. schools use to travel to places like D.C. -- no yellow buses here) Then I wait and wait and wait. IKEA finally arrives at 12:30 pm. I decide to put the couch together first. Surprisingly, the couch is relatively easy to put together. By 1:30, a mere hour later, I am ready to put the last pieces on the couch -- the legs. Seems too easy right? Well, when I went to put the last leg on the couch, I discovered a defect in the couch. The hole where the screw was supposed to meet the rest of the couch had wood jammed in it. After using a few choice words, I took part of the couch apart and headed to IKEA with the arm of the sofa. I know the routine -- go to the customer service area and take a number. When my number is called she explains to me that she will have to order it. She could quickly tell that I was not happy as I have thoughts in my head of a partially assembled couch back at my house that will have to wait for a new arm. She jumped in and said her English was not so good -- what she meant was that she had to get it from the warehouse and that it would take 15 minutes. She even told me not to wait in the line that when I was finished shopping just to come right up to her and she would give me the right piece. Within a short time my couch arm was delivered, I took it home and completed the couch. A few minutes later, Mac tried out the couch and decided that she liked it!
O.k., I promise that this is my last IKEA story. On Monday, I went to my now "favorite" store and purchased a couch and a bed for the guestroom -- HINT HINT WE WILL BE READY FOR GUESTS BY THE END OF THE WEEK. Needless to say, I could not fit these items in my car so gathered what I purchased and went to Transport. In addition to having them delivered, I wanted to have them assembled. The date for assembly did not work for me so I decided I would brave it on my own and assemble the pieces. Without assembly, the deliver date was the next day between 7 am and 2 pm (a lovely window). So, I wake the next morning and get K and S to the bus stop. (YES, I said the bus stop. The bus comes at 8:08 and they get to school by 8:25. The bus that picks them up is a huge coach bus -- like the buses U.S. schools use to travel to places like D.C. -- no yellow buses here) Then I wait and wait and wait. IKEA finally arrives at 12:30 pm. I decide to put the couch together first. Surprisingly, the couch is relatively easy to put together. By 1:30, a mere hour later, I am ready to put the last pieces on the couch -- the legs. Seems too easy right? Well, when I went to put the last leg on the couch, I discovered a defect in the couch. The hole where the screw was supposed to meet the rest of the couch had wood jammed in it. After using a few choice words, I took part of the couch apart and headed to IKEA with the arm of the sofa. I know the routine -- go to the customer service area and take a number. When my number is called she explains to me that she will have to order it. She could quickly tell that I was not happy as I have thoughts in my head of a partially assembled couch back at my house that will have to wait for a new arm. She jumped in and said her English was not so good -- what she meant was that she had to get it from the warehouse and that it would take 15 minutes. She even told me not to wait in the line that when I was finished shopping just to come right up to her and she would give me the right piece. Within a short time my couch arm was delivered, I took it home and completed the couch. A few minutes later, Mac tried out the couch and decided that she liked it!
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| Mac's new couch minus Mac! |
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| Mac enjoying her couch! |
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| Ditto! |
One last point about the couch. Across from the couch is a big picture window. As Mac was lying on the couch, she noticed her reflection in the window. She jumped up from the couch, raised her hackles and barked furiously at her image. It took us several minutes to calm her down. K commented that she has never seen her react so aggressively. Clearly, Mac is not afraid of many dogs, but she is afraid of herself. She probably has no idea how large she is.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
September 3rd-9th -- A Challenging Week!
September 3rd-8th
A very challenging week ended on a very happy note! As you can see below, Ana and Mac joined us making our family complete.
The simple things in life are a challenge when you do not speak the language.
Challenge 1: A few words in German leads to trouble.
I have gotten good enough at one word in German, here or there. You would think that is a good thing; however, it usually results in someone rapidly firing 5 sentences back at you in German. In which case, you quickly have to say -- "Ich spreche kein Deutsch."
Challenge 2: Telephone messages in German.
Language is a problem here particularly when using the telephone. A dear friend sent me flowers on Wednesday -- she went out of her way to have them delivered that day. I checked the answering machine late in the day and found a message light blinking. I pushed the button and yes, the person left a message in German. Working with S, we figured out the telephone number only to realize they were closed for the afternoon (we think because of course we got a message in German). The next day they did contact me, put someone on the phone who spoke English and eventually delivered the flowers.
Challenge 3: Our pronounciation of German.
Later that same day, the cable went out. A tragedy in our house because that means no internet. O.k., so how do you call the cable company? I dialed a number and the recording was in German. So, I decided I would just press one and hope for the best. Eventually, music came on so I guessed I was on hold -- something we are used to in the U.S. A man came on and I used my favorite phrase -- Sprechen Sie Englisch? He said a little. It turns out that he is in sales. After trying to connect me with the Tech Dept., he got back on and asked me for my address so that he could have a tech colleague call me back. You would think that should be simple. When I said the address, he said there was no such address in Oberursel. Then, I tried to spell it for him. The "z" sound in the English alphabet is very different from the "z" sound in German. When I said zu den, he hear Suden. Finally, I said, "z" the last letter in the alphabet and he said "Hah, Zu den." He then found my customer number and telephone number and said that someone who spoke better English then he did would contact me. So just imagine what they hear when I try to speak German!!!
S, concerned with this asked her German teacher how to say our street name.
Correct pronunciation: (Tsoo dein) Ringwällen.
Challenge 4: Calling your husband's new cell phone (now a German number).
I spent Thursday building IKEA furniture. I discovered the real challenge for the IKEA furniture is --Can you fix a mistake that you made early in the process without taking the whole piece apart? A piece that, by the way, that took you 3 hours to build. After that lovely chore, I met the relocation person at Vodafone to get us all cell phones with German numbers. After waiting more than an hour, I signed four contracts (all in German) and got one phone. The saleman explained that I should come back tomorrow to get the rest of the phones.* I got home and checked my e-mail. There was a message from the Animal Freight Carriers that Luftansa was on strike. The choice was to spend more money to send Ana and Mac on United or board them in New Jersey for four more days. I found C's new work cell phone number and dialed. You guessed it! I got a message in German. I tried his office number and got a message in German. Frustration hit new levels as I realized that someone had to contact the Animal Freight Carrier otherwise the pups would miss the United flight and I could not even figure out how to call my husband. Finally, S called the number on her cell phone (still the U.S. phone). The call went through and we found out that C had already taken care of it. Ana and Mac were already on the United flight. It turns out that I was dialing 49 before the number (Germany's country code). You do not need that code when you are in Germany. So, the recording was telling me that -- you know just like it tells you in the U.S. that you do not need to dial 1 before the number. The only problem was -- I could not understand the German message. S's call went through because it was a U.S. number. Now I know how to call C at work.
Ana and Mac arrived at 3:15 Friday afternoon. They had boarded the United flight around 8 pm the night before, arrived in Germany around 10 am (German time) and finally cleared customs and were delivered to the house. K and S arrived home about 15 minutes later. Ana literally squealed when she saw K. Both of them are doing well. They both love the fenced in yard. In addition to the yard, the forest is right down the street. There are multiple paths for running, biking and dog walking. Ana has gone on several walks as has Mac. Mac has also gone on a run with S -- Mac just trots along side as S runs.
A very challenging week ended on a very happy note! As you can see below, Ana and Mac joined us making our family complete.
The simple things in life are a challenge when you do not speak the language.
Challenge 1: A few words in German leads to trouble.
I have gotten good enough at one word in German, here or there. You would think that is a good thing; however, it usually results in someone rapidly firing 5 sentences back at you in German. In which case, you quickly have to say -- "Ich spreche kein Deutsch."
Challenge 2: Telephone messages in German.
Language is a problem here particularly when using the telephone. A dear friend sent me flowers on Wednesday -- she went out of her way to have them delivered that day. I checked the answering machine late in the day and found a message light blinking. I pushed the button and yes, the person left a message in German. Working with S, we figured out the telephone number only to realize they were closed for the afternoon (we think because of course we got a message in German). The next day they did contact me, put someone on the phone who spoke English and eventually delivered the flowers.
Challenge 3: Our pronounciation of German.
Later that same day, the cable went out. A tragedy in our house because that means no internet. O.k., so how do you call the cable company? I dialed a number and the recording was in German. So, I decided I would just press one and hope for the best. Eventually, music came on so I guessed I was on hold -- something we are used to in the U.S. A man came on and I used my favorite phrase -- Sprechen Sie Englisch? He said a little. It turns out that he is in sales. After trying to connect me with the Tech Dept., he got back on and asked me for my address so that he could have a tech colleague call me back. You would think that should be simple. When I said the address, he said there was no such address in Oberursel. Then, I tried to spell it for him. The "z" sound in the English alphabet is very different from the "z" sound in German. When I said zu den, he hear Suden. Finally, I said, "z" the last letter in the alphabet and he said "Hah, Zu den." He then found my customer number and telephone number and said that someone who spoke better English then he did would contact me. So just imagine what they hear when I try to speak German!!!
S, concerned with this asked her German teacher how to say our street name.
Correct pronunciation: (Tsoo dein) Ringwällen.
Challenge 4: Calling your husband's new cell phone (now a German number).
I spent Thursday building IKEA furniture. I discovered the real challenge for the IKEA furniture is --Can you fix a mistake that you made early in the process without taking the whole piece apart? A piece that, by the way, that took you 3 hours to build. After that lovely chore, I met the relocation person at Vodafone to get us all cell phones with German numbers. After waiting more than an hour, I signed four contracts (all in German) and got one phone. The saleman explained that I should come back tomorrow to get the rest of the phones.* I got home and checked my e-mail. There was a message from the Animal Freight Carriers that Luftansa was on strike. The choice was to spend more money to send Ana and Mac on United or board them in New Jersey for four more days. I found C's new work cell phone number and dialed. You guessed it! I got a message in German. I tried his office number and got a message in German. Frustration hit new levels as I realized that someone had to contact the Animal Freight Carrier otherwise the pups would miss the United flight and I could not even figure out how to call my husband. Finally, S called the number on her cell phone (still the U.S. phone). The call went through and we found out that C had already taken care of it. Ana and Mac were already on the United flight. It turns out that I was dialing 49 before the number (Germany's country code). You do not need that code when you are in Germany. So, the recording was telling me that -- you know just like it tells you in the U.S. that you do not need to dial 1 before the number. The only problem was -- I could not understand the German message. S's call went through because it was a U.S. number. Now I know how to call C at work.
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| Mac and Ana make it to Germany! Note the sentence at the bottom of the tags. |
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| A few wild days! Mac is exhausted! |
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| Ana loves the corners! |
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| S and Mac cuddle together! |
September 2, 2012 -- Festivals
September 2, 2012
After braving IKEA, we decided to head to Leternen Fest in Bad Homburg. K, S, C and I took the train from Oberursel (one stop) and arrived in Bad Homburg. The festival is on a main street in the little city. The street is lined with all sorts of food and drink stands. At the end of the street, you find the ferris wheel as well as other rides. The food included stuffed pretzels, french fries (with 12 different sauces), roasted pig, crepes, candy ropes, stuffed/flavored marshmallows and a foot and half kebab screwer with bread on top, just to name a few. Of course, you could also find some beer, wine and other tropical drink stands. C and I sampled the roasted pig with white slaw on a roll. I, of course, could not resist the Belgium french fries; however, I chose ketchup not mayo. C, K and S finished the night with gelato.
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| The Street |
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| A Marshmallow |
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| The Auction |
Sunday, September 2, 2012
September 1, 2012 -- Shopping at IKEA -- don't ever do it!
September 1, 2012 -- How do you say suffering in Swedish? See Answer below.
Well, we said good-bye to the Park Hotel Residence. No tears over that good-bye. We are officially in our home.
We were still missing some key items so off we went to the Nordwest Zentrum in Frankfurt and IKEA. First stop, lunch then Media Markt to get a coffee machine. In the mall at Frankfurt, you can smoke in the Atrium area -- something to which we are not accustomed. After braving the smoking and a small parking garage, we had lunch, purchased our coffee machine and were off to IKEA.
IKEA WAS AN EXPERIENCE. For those who have not visited an IKEA -- DON'T DO IT!!! We had already visited IKEA several times. During those visits we measured, figured out the system (so we thought) and picked out our items. The only purchase we made at that time was a silverware holder that did not fit in the drawer. We began our day at 3 pm. Our first task was to return the silverware holder. In order to return it, you go to customer service and push a button. You get a number. Our number indicated there were 20 people ahead of us. 20 minutes later I was able to return my silverware holder and begin another purchasing event at IKEA.
We had to purchase a number of items. For some items, you enter the numbers and have to retrieve the items at the warehouse yourself. Other items, you go to a desk and they give you a slip with a number. Once you pay, you go to an area where they bring you your goods. Of course, there is a wait there as well. We did both. I paid for the ordered items and sent S off to collect those. I then met back up with C who was pulling the warehouse items and placing them on our cart. Some of the items are large and ridiculously heavy. He befriended a Japanese family by helping them move their wardrobes onto the cart. They in turn helped him. C got on line to pay for the items. The line was long so we waited 25 minutes. C finally paid for the items in his cart, but they were too large for his car. Next stop, transport (delivery service). The way IKEA works is that you have to take all of the items that you want delivered to the transport desk (yes, another line). The woman at the Transport Desk checks the items in, they put them together. Once you give them your address and pay, they put the items in the transport room and deliver them on a set date. So we figured the worst of our day was over -- we were finally at the last stage of the process. Nope -- that was not the case. The woman starts checking off our items and she discovers that we have the wrong box 2 for the wardrobe (there are two parts -- box 1 and box 2). We are sent to customer service (hit a button and wait on line). Once again, there are 20 people ahead of us. Finally, our number is called. Customer service says that they will switch the items. She tells us she will be right back. She returns empty handed. Guess What? Our item is out of stock, but will be in on Monday. After some negotiation, IKEA agrees to add the new item to our delivery on Monday and ship it together. As we are finalizing our delivery, the woman at the desk asks us where the other wardrobe is that is on our bill. We reply-- "We only got one." She says -- well you were charged for two, how come you didn't check your bill? C, despite her tone, responded politely explaining that German was not his native tongue and that the process had been somewhat challenging. We finished the delivery order and now we asked how we would be credited for the extra wardrobe. You guessed it! We had to go back to the customer service area and punch the button. Despite their error, we waited another 20 minutes (their were 17 people ahead of us). By the time we left IKEA, it was 7:20 pm -- four plus hours after we arrived. One of the more painful events we have ever experienced.
Bottom line -- what is the Swedish word for suffering? Answer: IKEA
Well, we said good-bye to the Park Hotel Residence. No tears over that good-bye. We are officially in our home.
We were still missing some key items so off we went to the Nordwest Zentrum in Frankfurt and IKEA. First stop, lunch then Media Markt to get a coffee machine. In the mall at Frankfurt, you can smoke in the Atrium area -- something to which we are not accustomed. After braving the smoking and a small parking garage, we had lunch, purchased our coffee machine and were off to IKEA.
IKEA WAS AN EXPERIENCE. For those who have not visited an IKEA -- DON'T DO IT!!! We had already visited IKEA several times. During those visits we measured, figured out the system (so we thought) and picked out our items. The only purchase we made at that time was a silverware holder that did not fit in the drawer. We began our day at 3 pm. Our first task was to return the silverware holder. In order to return it, you go to customer service and push a button. You get a number. Our number indicated there were 20 people ahead of us. 20 minutes later I was able to return my silverware holder and begin another purchasing event at IKEA.
We had to purchase a number of items. For some items, you enter the numbers and have to retrieve the items at the warehouse yourself. Other items, you go to a desk and they give you a slip with a number. Once you pay, you go to an area where they bring you your goods. Of course, there is a wait there as well. We did both. I paid for the ordered items and sent S off to collect those. I then met back up with C who was pulling the warehouse items and placing them on our cart. Some of the items are large and ridiculously heavy. He befriended a Japanese family by helping them move their wardrobes onto the cart. They in turn helped him. C got on line to pay for the items. The line was long so we waited 25 minutes. C finally paid for the items in his cart, but they were too large for his car. Next stop, transport (delivery service). The way IKEA works is that you have to take all of the items that you want delivered to the transport desk (yes, another line). The woman at the Transport Desk checks the items in, they put them together. Once you give them your address and pay, they put the items in the transport room and deliver them on a set date. So we figured the worst of our day was over -- we were finally at the last stage of the process. Nope -- that was not the case. The woman starts checking off our items and she discovers that we have the wrong box 2 for the wardrobe (there are two parts -- box 1 and box 2). We are sent to customer service (hit a button and wait on line). Once again, there are 20 people ahead of us. Finally, our number is called. Customer service says that they will switch the items. She tells us she will be right back. She returns empty handed. Guess What? Our item is out of stock, but will be in on Monday. After some negotiation, IKEA agrees to add the new item to our delivery on Monday and ship it together. As we are finalizing our delivery, the woman at the desk asks us where the other wardrobe is that is on our bill. We reply-- "We only got one." She says -- well you were charged for two, how come you didn't check your bill? C, despite her tone, responded politely explaining that German was not his native tongue and that the process had been somewhat challenging. We finished the delivery order and now we asked how we would be credited for the extra wardrobe. You guessed it! We had to go back to the customer service area and punch the button. Despite their error, we waited another 20 minutes (their were 17 people ahead of us). By the time we left IKEA, it was 7:20 pm -- four plus hours after we arrived. One of the more painful events we have ever experienced.
Bottom line -- what is the Swedish word for suffering? Answer: IKEA
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