August 30, 2012
I was invited to a Riesling Wine Festival in Frankfurt today. The person who invited me belongs to a club called the Hessen (state in Germany) Culture Clique (formerly known as the Hessen Hotties, but changed because they got some nasty messages and contacts). The group consists of a group of women (expats) who go to various festivals, food tastings, tours, etc. Many of these women grew up in countries other than the U.S. -- India, South Africa, Korea and Australia -- but spent an extended amount of time in the U.S. prior to coming to Germany.
The festival was in a street in Frankfurt. They set up various tents -- different vineyards and breweries have tents and sell different types of wines and beers. There are also tents with different types of food. They place tables in the center of the street and people sit at the tables and drink and eat. While many of my teaching colleagues in the U.S. were just getting up for the opening day of school (5:45 am), I sat at a table drinking Riesling (11:45 am) and eating Flammkuchen (a German flatbread pizza).
Just like the grocery carts, when you purchase beer or wine you put a deposit down on the Flammkuchen pizza serving board or the glass you get when you order your beer or wine (no plastic or stytofoam). When you return those items, you get your Euro back. It makes sense.
The motto is Germany is "Save Water, Drink Riesling"! Today we saved water!
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
August 29, 2012
August 29, 2012
After the girls left on their school trip, I set out for the house in order to continue unpacking. I spent two hours trying to get the wireless router to work. I had to go to the mall to talk to the people at the cable company because calling (my lack of German) does not work. I got a telephone number from the cable man for the wireless router company -- he assured me that the person answering the phone would speak English. I called the wirelesss router company and used my favorite line -- Sprechen Sie Englisch? She gave me another number to call for tech support. She said someone would come on and when I heard the voice I should press 1 (of course she had to tell me what to do because the recording is in -- you guessed it -- German). I was eventually successful. Of course it could have been so easy if startup CD the company gives you worked on a Mac.
After taking a look at the wardrobe, furniture situation, I headed to IKEA. I had never been to an IKEA. Wow, that is an experience. I spent several hours at the store and purchased seat cushions for the dining room chairs and bins for paper/glass/plastic. (Let's just say the garbage bin is small and only gets picked up once a week. We will have to become serious recyclers!) I looked at and measured a number of items, but I needed a second opinion. So, after spending a good part of my day at IKEA, I came home with only a few small things. The kicker in all of this is that I paid at the automated machine (language in German). I succeeded, but I got so stressed as I was checking out (took me a little longer than the average person), I paid for a large bin and two small bins, but I only took the two small bins. I had taken the large bin out of my cart as I paid and left it there. I realized it when I got home. Oh well! It is definitely time to sign up for German lessons!
After the girls left on their school trip, I set out for the house in order to continue unpacking. I spent two hours trying to get the wireless router to work. I had to go to the mall to talk to the people at the cable company because calling (my lack of German) does not work. I got a telephone number from the cable man for the wireless router company -- he assured me that the person answering the phone would speak English. I called the wirelesss router company and used my favorite line -- Sprechen Sie Englisch? She gave me another number to call for tech support. She said someone would come on and when I heard the voice I should press 1 (of course she had to tell me what to do because the recording is in -- you guessed it -- German). I was eventually successful. Of course it could have been so easy if startup CD the company gives you worked on a Mac.
After taking a look at the wardrobe, furniture situation, I headed to IKEA. I had never been to an IKEA. Wow, that is an experience. I spent several hours at the store and purchased seat cushions for the dining room chairs and bins for paper/glass/plastic. (Let's just say the garbage bin is small and only gets picked up once a week. We will have to become serious recyclers!) I looked at and measured a number of items, but I needed a second opinion. So, after spending a good part of my day at IKEA, I came home with only a few small things. The kicker in all of this is that I paid at the automated machine (language in German). I succeeded, but I got so stressed as I was checking out (took me a little longer than the average person), I paid for a large bin and two small bins, but I only took the two small bins. I had taken the large bin out of my cart as I paid and left it there. I realized it when I got home. Oh well! It is definitely time to sign up for German lessons!
August 28th -- Move In Day!
August 28, 2012
Move in day finally arrived. I spent the day directing the movers and unpacking boxes. Slowly, but surely we are getting there. Ironically, we probably could have brought more furniture with us. Oh well, I guess that is why we have IKEA.
One thing that definitely will be a challenge is that there are no closets in houses in Europe. Instead, you purchase wardrobes -- remember "The Lion, the Witch and the WARDROBE." We did purchase some wardrobes from the people who lived here before us, but I do not think we will be able to fit all of our clothes in these wardrobes. Keep in mind that there are no hall closets for coats or linen closets for sheets and towels. Yes, we will be visiting IKEA and I will definitely have something to do putting all of the furniture together.
The girls and I had dinner at the house -- we grilled hamburgers, but returned to the hotel to sleep. Like I said -- we are making progress.
Move in day finally arrived. I spent the day directing the movers and unpacking boxes. Slowly, but surely we are getting there. Ironically, we probably could have brought more furniture with us. Oh well, I guess that is why we have IKEA.
One thing that definitely will be a challenge is that there are no closets in houses in Europe. Instead, you purchase wardrobes -- remember "The Lion, the Witch and the WARDROBE." We did purchase some wardrobes from the people who lived here before us, but I do not think we will be able to fit all of our clothes in these wardrobes. Keep in mind that there are no hall closets for coats or linen closets for sheets and towels. Yes, we will be visiting IKEA and I will definitely have something to do putting all of the furniture together.
The girls and I had dinner at the house -- we grilled hamburgers, but returned to the hotel to sleep. Like I said -- we are making progress.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
August 25th -- Shopping Shouldn't Be That Hard!
August 25th --Never Try and Bake in Germany
K, S and I are invited over someone's house for pizza tomorrow night. I offered to to bring dessert. S says -- "Hey, why don't you make chocolate chip cookies." So I think to myself that cannot be that hard. I know that I have to purchase some items, but I figure that I have to do that at some point anyway. So off we go to purchase a mixer, a cookie sheet and measuring cups. A mixer because of the different electrical current/voltage. A cookie sheet because ovens in Europe are much smaller than in the U.S. Measuring cups because my stuff has not gotten here. After a little sticker shock -- Kitchen Aid Mixers are even more here-- K and I find a deal at the second kitchen shop we visit -- Kitchen Aid Mixer with numerous attachments (including the meat grinder) for less than it would have cost for just the Kitchen Aid Mixer and the bowl. I sent Chris a text explaining how much money we saved him.
O.k. the next step -- buying the ingrediants. How hard can that be? There must be universal baking products right?-- WRONG! I stood in the baking goods aisle for five minutes. I studied all of the products and then I almost started to cry. I got my flour -- someone had already explained to me that I needed the 405 flour. Next, I got my regular sugar (zucker). But then it got ugly. Where is the baking soda? chocolate chips? Brown sugar? I stopped a woman and asked -- Sprechen Sie Englisch? She said no but grabbed another lady in the store. This woman happened to be French but she spoke some English. I ended up with Braun Zucker (not at all like our brown sugar -- it is crystals) and backpulver (single-acting baking powder) and a very small (not so great tasting) box of chocolate chips.
After I left the store, I did a little research. You cannot get baking soda or double-acting baking powder in Germany (Chris will have to bring some with him when he comes home from the U.S.). The Germans use single-acting baking soda -- not good for S's chocolate chip cookies. There is also no such thing as brown sugar as we know it in the U.S. Either you have to buy it in the U.S. and bring it with you or you have to make it -- 1 to 2 tablespoons of molasses for every cup of white sugar.
So the question that remains -- How is it in the world where everything is connected that we are all so different? I have to admit that the grocery store is one of the scariest places for me. It should all be so simple, but from the carts to the different products, it is all so complicated. I guess the answer is -- try some German recipes!
K, S and I are invited over someone's house for pizza tomorrow night. I offered to to bring dessert. S says -- "Hey, why don't you make chocolate chip cookies." So I think to myself that cannot be that hard. I know that I have to purchase some items, but I figure that I have to do that at some point anyway. So off we go to purchase a mixer, a cookie sheet and measuring cups. A mixer because of the different electrical current/voltage. A cookie sheet because ovens in Europe are much smaller than in the U.S. Measuring cups because my stuff has not gotten here. After a little sticker shock -- Kitchen Aid Mixers are even more here-- K and I find a deal at the second kitchen shop we visit -- Kitchen Aid Mixer with numerous attachments (including the meat grinder) for less than it would have cost for just the Kitchen Aid Mixer and the bowl. I sent Chris a text explaining how much money we saved him.
O.k. the next step -- buying the ingrediants. How hard can that be? There must be universal baking products right?-- WRONG! I stood in the baking goods aisle for five minutes. I studied all of the products and then I almost started to cry. I got my flour -- someone had already explained to me that I needed the 405 flour. Next, I got my regular sugar (zucker). But then it got ugly. Where is the baking soda? chocolate chips? Brown sugar? I stopped a woman and asked -- Sprechen Sie Englisch? She said no but grabbed another lady in the store. This woman happened to be French but she spoke some English. I ended up with Braun Zucker (not at all like our brown sugar -- it is crystals) and backpulver (single-acting baking powder) and a very small (not so great tasting) box of chocolate chips.
After I left the store, I did a little research. You cannot get baking soda or double-acting baking powder in Germany (Chris will have to bring some with him when he comes home from the U.S.). The Germans use single-acting baking soda -- not good for S's chocolate chip cookies. There is also no such thing as brown sugar as we know it in the U.S. Either you have to buy it in the U.S. and bring it with you or you have to make it -- 1 to 2 tablespoons of molasses for every cup of white sugar.
So the question that remains -- How is it in the world where everything is connected that we are all so different? I have to admit that the grocery store is one of the scariest places for me. It should all be so simple, but from the carts to the different products, it is all so complicated. I guess the answer is -- try some German recipes!
Friday, August 24, 2012
August 21st -August 24th
August 21st - August 24th
We accomplished a number of things this week. We now have access to the house. Our things will arrive on August 28th so we are still in the hotel for the moment. However, there does seem to be light at the end of the tunnel. Yesterday, we were able to have the cable man in to set up the cable and the telephone. Today, our TV was delivered as well as the gas grill I purchased this week. Of course, none of these delivery men/cable man spoke English. We used a fair amount of sign language and pointing. It seems to have worked.
In addition to the numerous deliveries, I got a lesson on the garbage/recycling from the Relocation Agent. Let me just say, garbage is no easy task. I have two handouts -- one with an explanation in words and the other in pictures -- as well as a schedule that lists the pick up days for the various colored bins. Each colored bin is picked up on different days of the week. There is a blue bin, a black bin and a yellow bin (yellow bags that you can get from your grocer for free if you have no yellow bin). The blue bin is for paper, cardboard etc. and it is picked up once a month. The yellow bin/bags are for tin cans and plastic bottles that you would not otherwise return to the grocery store (to get your deposit back) and it is picked up twice a month. The black bin is for any other garbage that you could not recycle and that bin is picked up once a week (for us on Mondays -- our trash day in Connecticut as well). In addition to the bins that you put out, there are recycle boxes for white glass and brown glass (there may even be one for green glass) located around Oberursel. It is your responsibility to deposit the glass in the correct recycle box.
In addition to the trash, I got a lesson on the dishwasher. The dishwashers in Europe have a built-in water softening system. In order to prevent the dishwasher from clogging, you must add dishwashing salt (there is a compartment at the bottom of the machine). There is a light on the front panel that tells you when more salt is needed. I have to say that I had never heard of dishwashing salt.
Since I had the opportunity, I asked the Relocation Agent why there are no screens on the windows (this is true in France as well as Germany). She told me that there is no need for screens as there are very few mosquitoes in this area. She said you only have to worry about an occasional fly. I have to say that since we have been in Germany none of us have gotten a mosquito bite. However, we have had our share of company in the hotel room -- numerous flies, moths (one even slept on my toothbrush handle overnight) and beetles.
We have been picking up some German words:
-- Rechnung (check or bill)
-- Rosinenbrötchen (roll with raisins) -- I can even say this word now!
--Eis Würfel -- (ice cube) -- this is our favorite
You can buy bags of Eis Würfel in the grocery stores and the gas stations. The bags are 1/3rd of the size and cost 2,99 Euro.
We accomplished a number of things this week. We now have access to the house. Our things will arrive on August 28th so we are still in the hotel for the moment. However, there does seem to be light at the end of the tunnel. Yesterday, we were able to have the cable man in to set up the cable and the telephone. Today, our TV was delivered as well as the gas grill I purchased this week. Of course, none of these delivery men/cable man spoke English. We used a fair amount of sign language and pointing. It seems to have worked.
In addition to the numerous deliveries, I got a lesson on the garbage/recycling from the Relocation Agent. Let me just say, garbage is no easy task. I have two handouts -- one with an explanation in words and the other in pictures -- as well as a schedule that lists the pick up days for the various colored bins. Each colored bin is picked up on different days of the week. There is a blue bin, a black bin and a yellow bin (yellow bags that you can get from your grocer for free if you have no yellow bin). The blue bin is for paper, cardboard etc. and it is picked up once a month. The yellow bin/bags are for tin cans and plastic bottles that you would not otherwise return to the grocery store (to get your deposit back) and it is picked up twice a month. The black bin is for any other garbage that you could not recycle and that bin is picked up once a week (for us on Mondays -- our trash day in Connecticut as well). In addition to the bins that you put out, there are recycle boxes for white glass and brown glass (there may even be one for green glass) located around Oberursel. It is your responsibility to deposit the glass in the correct recycle box.
In addition to the trash, I got a lesson on the dishwasher. The dishwashers in Europe have a built-in water softening system. In order to prevent the dishwasher from clogging, you must add dishwashing salt (there is a compartment at the bottom of the machine). There is a light on the front panel that tells you when more salt is needed. I have to say that I had never heard of dishwashing salt.
Since I had the opportunity, I asked the Relocation Agent why there are no screens on the windows (this is true in France as well as Germany). She told me that there is no need for screens as there are very few mosquitoes in this area. She said you only have to worry about an occasional fly. I have to say that since we have been in Germany none of us have gotten a mosquito bite. However, we have had our share of company in the hotel room -- numerous flies, moths (one even slept on my toothbrush handle overnight) and beetles.
We have been picking up some German words:
-- Rechnung (check or bill)
-- Rosinenbrötchen (roll with raisins) -- I can even say this word now!
--Eis Würfel -- (ice cube) -- this is our favorite
You can buy bags of Eis Würfel in the grocery stores and the gas stations. The bags are 1/3rd of the size and cost 2,99 Euro.
Monday, August 20, 2012
August 20, 2012
August 20, 2012
Very hot day in Germany. Temperatures reaching over 30 Celcius (I am told this means it is over 90 degrees). No problem in Connecticut every place is air conditioned -- so much so we need sweatshirts. That would not be the case in Germany. In fact, I went to a mall today to buy a printer. There is a store there called Media Markt (Germany's answer to Best Buy). The mall has a glass ceiling which is a problem because there is no air conditioning in the mall.
I have found the German people on the whole to be exceptionally friendly and helpful. I was in the Post Office today trying to mail a document that had to be in Hartford by September 1st. I started out at Mail Boxes Etc., but they told me that it would cost 55 Euro to send my little envelope to Hartford. So off I went to the Post Office. I started off by saying "Sprechen Sie Englisch?" Of course the Post Office man said -- "nein" -- meaning "no." I looked a little flustered when the lady next to me said -- I can try and help you. Her English wasn't perfect -- but a heck of a lot better than my German -- and after a few minutes she conveyed my thoughts to the Post Office man. She translated his response and I was all set to go. I was able to mail my envelope and save myself 50 Euro. I thanked her again in English and German -- I am good at Danke. She was truly very kind and I really did appreciate it.
K and S went to a Model U.N. meeting. S will have to be a rising star to get to Paris -- Paris is for the experienced students. If not, she will go to either the Hague or Milan -- still not too shabby.
The rest of week looks hot as well. We will be getting used to fans here in Germany.
Very hot day in Germany. Temperatures reaching over 30 Celcius (I am told this means it is over 90 degrees). No problem in Connecticut every place is air conditioned -- so much so we need sweatshirts. That would not be the case in Germany. In fact, I went to a mall today to buy a printer. There is a store there called Media Markt (Germany's answer to Best Buy). The mall has a glass ceiling which is a problem because there is no air conditioning in the mall.
I have found the German people on the whole to be exceptionally friendly and helpful. I was in the Post Office today trying to mail a document that had to be in Hartford by September 1st. I started out at Mail Boxes Etc., but they told me that it would cost 55 Euro to send my little envelope to Hartford. So off I went to the Post Office. I started off by saying "Sprechen Sie Englisch?" Of course the Post Office man said -- "nein" -- meaning "no." I looked a little flustered when the lady next to me said -- I can try and help you. Her English wasn't perfect -- but a heck of a lot better than my German -- and after a few minutes she conveyed my thoughts to the Post Office man. She translated his response and I was all set to go. I was able to mail my envelope and save myself 50 Euro. I thanked her again in English and German -- I am good at Danke. She was truly very kind and I really did appreciate it.
K and S went to a Model U.N. meeting. S will have to be a rising star to get to Paris -- Paris is for the experienced students. If not, she will go to either the Hague or Milan -- still not too shabby.
The rest of week looks hot as well. We will be getting used to fans here in Germany.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Weekend -- August 17th-19th
Weekend -- August 17th--19th
It was a slow weekend here in Oberursel -- no weekend excursions.
We did make a few discoveries:
It was a slow weekend here in Oberursel -- no weekend excursions.
We did make a few discoveries:
- Always make a reservation if you plan to go out to dinner on a weekend night. If you don't, you end up eating inside the restaurant, a problem when there is no air conditioning and it is over 80 degrees
- Chris's key chain for his Mercedes holds the "key" to the grocery cart debacle. One day Katie was fooling around with Chris's keys to his car. She discovered that the little Mercedes insignia pulled out of the key chain. We thought that it was funny and that there must be a reason. After someone showed me a key chain from FIS (Frankfurt International School), it hit me, the little disk (the same size as the 1 Euro coin) can be used to get a grocery cart.
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| Note the Mercedes insignia |
- We discovered an excellent Italian restaurant with a beautiful outside patio in Königstein, a town about 10 kilometers from Oberursel. It was probably the best meal we have had in Germany.
- If you want a good American breakfast, you have to go to Marché located at the gas station about 16 kilometers from our hotel. They have quite an assortment of food, including scrambled eggs with tomatoes, mushrooms and onions (Rührei komplett); they also had "Sweet n Low" -- a product you cannot find in any grocery store here. S and I were very happy.
As always Sunday is a slow day as everything is closed in Germany except for the cafes and restaurants. K and S are headed to the town pool with some kids from FIS. The town pool in Oberursel is huge.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
August 16, 2012
August 16, 2012
Yesterday morning K needed cash for the bookstore at FIS. She needed to purchase some folders and notebooks. Being the good mother that I am, I hopped in the car and parked as close to the bank as possible, ran out in the rain and arrived at the door of the bank. I looked around for a way to insert my card and get the door to buzz open. Guess what -- there was no slot for the card. I went back to the apartment unsuccessful. Later in the day, I went to the bank when it was open and asked about access to the automated teller machines. Believe it or not, the woman in the bank said that there is no access to the bank machines when the bank is closed. I am not sure I understand the concept, but I will have to adjust my schedule and make sure that I take out cash when the bank is open.
After my trip to the bank, I decided to take a trip to Wiesbanden to visit the Italian supermarket. It is a great store with homemade sausage, great cheeses, Italian wines and homemade pasta. I made some purchases and headed to IKEA to purchase a few things I needed for the kitchen. With two burners and two medium sized pots, I managed to make sausage, sauce, pasta and salad for dinner, no easy task in our hotel room/mini apartment. The girls enjoyed eating homecooked food and we all enjoyed staying in for a change.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
August 15, 2012 -- The New Kids -- Co-Author Sarah
August 15, 2012
Katie and I ventured to our first day of school today. With a Starbucks ice coffee in hand, (thanks to the Frankfurt Airport) we took our minute walk across the street to school. Being the new kid, is not quite as horrible as it is portrayed, well actually it is. The school being so big is of no help, as we aimlessly circled the hallways in search of a board with our homeroom on it. After finally finding the board, we circled again for another 5 minutes in search of the rooms, finally giving in and asking for help. Thankfully having people to sit with for lunch, we felt a bit more at ease, until they all left and 30 minutes of lunch remained. Walking along, I searched for a place to go until someone recognized me and offered a seat. The classes are going to be challenging but nothing we are not used to. It was a good decision to take beginning German, this will hopefully allow us to not pull a Deb at the restaurants anymore! I am in search of a field hockey team (keep your fingers crossed) if not, I am looking forward to basketball season --- the traveling alone will be amazing (oh, see you in a few days mom, i'm going to france for a game on friday!). Even though it is all a bit different I believe change is good and will in the long run be a good thing for us.
Deb did not do too much today, she read and went for a run.
*The Thai food in Germany is really good -- in case you need a good meal when you are traveling in Germany.
Katie and I ventured to our first day of school today. With a Starbucks ice coffee in hand, (thanks to the Frankfurt Airport) we took our minute walk across the street to school. Being the new kid, is not quite as horrible as it is portrayed, well actually it is. The school being so big is of no help, as we aimlessly circled the hallways in search of a board with our homeroom on it. After finally finding the board, we circled again for another 5 minutes in search of the rooms, finally giving in and asking for help. Thankfully having people to sit with for lunch, we felt a bit more at ease, until they all left and 30 minutes of lunch remained. Walking along, I searched for a place to go until someone recognized me and offered a seat. The classes are going to be challenging but nothing we are not used to. It was a good decision to take beginning German, this will hopefully allow us to not pull a Deb at the restaurants anymore! I am in search of a field hockey team (keep your fingers crossed) if not, I am looking forward to basketball season --- the traveling alone will be amazing (oh, see you in a few days mom, i'm going to france for a game on friday!). Even though it is all a bit different I believe change is good and will in the long run be a good thing for us.
Deb did not do too much today, she read and went for a run.
*The Thai food in Germany is really good -- in case you need a good meal when you are traveling in Germany.
August 14, 2012
August 14, 2012 -- The Bank and a Shopping Spree
I began my day visiting the bank. No one uses checks in Germany so you have to pay all of your bills on-line. For security reasons, they issue what are called "Tan" numbers. It took us a while to figure it out (all of the directions are in German), but with the help of the person at the bank, we now know what to do. You receive a list of 100 numbers on a form that is mailed to your home. When you go on-line to do your banking, it gives you a number, you have to look at the sheet and find the number that is next to the number that the computer has given you and enter it. For example, the computer may give you the number 35 so you go to the number 35 and next to it is a longer number say 12675. You enter the 12675 and then you can complete your transaction. All of the numbers are randomly generated. When you use up your Tan numbers, the bank sends you a new sheet. I do not do much on-line banking in the U.S. but this seems to be a much more secure system.
After taking care of our finances, S decided it was time to spend some money. C, S and I took the train to Frankfurt (this time paying the correct amount) to do a little shopping. Well, maybe more than a little, S is incapable of doing a little shopping. Last time we went into Frankfurt, we missed most of the shops. We did not make this mistake again. It was a rather successful trip. S purchased several outfits and a pair of boots making it difficult for her to choose which outfit to wear on the first day of school. Oh, by the way, we went to an bookstore that sold English books -- I bought an English/German Dictionary. No more fried eggs for me.
I began my day visiting the bank. No one uses checks in Germany so you have to pay all of your bills on-line. For security reasons, they issue what are called "Tan" numbers. It took us a while to figure it out (all of the directions are in German), but with the help of the person at the bank, we now know what to do. You receive a list of 100 numbers on a form that is mailed to your home. When you go on-line to do your banking, it gives you a number, you have to look at the sheet and find the number that is next to the number that the computer has given you and enter it. For example, the computer may give you the number 35 so you go to the number 35 and next to it is a longer number say 12675. You enter the 12675 and then you can complete your transaction. All of the numbers are randomly generated. When you use up your Tan numbers, the bank sends you a new sheet. I do not do much on-line banking in the U.S. but this seems to be a much more secure system.
After taking care of our finances, S decided it was time to spend some money. C, S and I took the train to Frankfurt (this time paying the correct amount) to do a little shopping. Well, maybe more than a little, S is incapable of doing a little shopping. Last time we went into Frankfurt, we missed most of the shops. We did not make this mistake again. It was a rather successful trip. S purchased several outfits and a pair of boots making it difficult for her to choose which outfit to wear on the first day of school. Oh, by the way, we went to an bookstore that sold English books -- I bought an English/German Dictionary. No more fried eggs for me.
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| Sarah's Boots |
August 13, 2012 -- Be Careful What You Order!
August 13, 2012
Monday was a relatively uneventful day. We went to IKEA to look for some furniture to add to the furniture that is being shipped and we went to a store called "REAL" which is basically Germany's version of a Walmart.
After we explored, C, K, S and I went to lunch at the restaurant at the Visitor's Center in Oberursel. Ordering off of a German menu is still an adventure for us although we clearly have gotten better. I decided that I was going to order the Max Strummer Deluxe -- Schinken, Käse and Spiegelei. O.k. so I know that Schinken is ham and that Käse is cheese. I was convinced I was ordering a sandwich so I figured I was good to go. Well, the waiter delivered my lunch, an open face sandwich with a 1/4 inch of butter on the bread, ham, cheese and two fried eggs on top. For those of you who didn't know -- "Spiegelei" is fried egg in German. Just as Christopher will not likely forget Knoblauch, I will not forget Speigelei.
Later in the evening, we went to a Korean restaurant. None of us had ever been to a Korean restaurant (Chris has, but he was working). There we were with a German menu at the Korean restaurant, a real challenge. I ordered a dish and wouldn't you know that it came out with a fried egg on top. So, yes, I had three eggs in one day.
Monday was a relatively uneventful day. We went to IKEA to look for some furniture to add to the furniture that is being shipped and we went to a store called "REAL" which is basically Germany's version of a Walmart.
After we explored, C, K, S and I went to lunch at the restaurant at the Visitor's Center in Oberursel. Ordering off of a German menu is still an adventure for us although we clearly have gotten better. I decided that I was going to order the Max Strummer Deluxe -- Schinken, Käse and Spiegelei. O.k. so I know that Schinken is ham and that Käse is cheese. I was convinced I was ordering a sandwich so I figured I was good to go. Well, the waiter delivered my lunch, an open face sandwich with a 1/4 inch of butter on the bread, ham, cheese and two fried eggs on top. For those of you who didn't know -- "Spiegelei" is fried egg in German. Just as Christopher will not likely forget Knoblauch, I will not forget Speigelei.
Later in the evening, we went to a Korean restaurant. None of us had ever been to a Korean restaurant (Chris has, but he was working). There we were with a German menu at the Korean restaurant, a real challenge. I ordered a dish and wouldn't you know that it came out with a fried egg on top. So, yes, I had three eggs in one day.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Bonjour France! -- Sarah Co-Author
August 11th and 12th- A bientot Strasbourg!
After a sneak peek of the house, we gathered our suitcases and took our second adventure of the move to Strasbourg, France. A two and a half hour drive from Oberursel. The cobble stoned streets, tall buildings, accented with balconies full of colorful flowers, were, according to my dad, typical of Paris. So we even got a small taste of Paris even though it was 480 km away. We spent most of the day walking through the city. Highlights of the city included Gutenberg Square, high fashion shoe shops and a mote that surrounded the city. We walked up and down alley ways that had ice-cream stands, pastry shops and chocolate. A stop at the Notre Dame of Strasbourg reminded us of La Sagrada Familia (my favorite cathedral in Spain). Christopher bought new shoes -- Le Coq Sportif. His white V-Neck t-shirt and European shoes caused many a person to ask him for directions. Crepes and window shopping completed a perfect afternoon in France. For dinner we sat outside with a picturesque view behind us. The food was amazing. However, after struggling through German for the past week and a half, hearing French created a new set of issues.
August 12th
This morning we walked around Strasbourg and said our good-byes. Before leaving we once again sampled the crepes. My mom, now used to the Autobahn, hit 160 kmph (approximately 96 mph) -- watch out in December when she is back in the U.S. I cannot believe we finally made it to France, it was a dream come true!
Enjoy the pictures!
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| Our view from dinner! |
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| Chocolate Banana Crepe |
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| The mote |
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The Cathedral      |
August 11th -- Sarah Co-Author
August 11th -- The House
On Saturday morning we drove to see our new home for the first time. The inside of the house was beautiful, with all white washed walls. The kitchen is smaller, but I still expect some delicious meals from my mom (maybe spaetzle). There is a large space with a fireplace which will become our "living room", a small bathroom and a TV room on the middle floor. The first thing to catch my attention was the porch off of the living room that led to a backyard, designed for a softball pitcher. Trees surround the yard, my mom was relieved to know we will not have to care for too many flowers (she is not known for having a green thumb). The upstairs bedrooms also has little balconies and an extra room for any guests! One of the downstairs rooms will become Katie's (she chose privacy and a private bathroom over a balcony and will therefore occupy most of the basement) and the other room will be free for visitors! (hint hint, we expect many guests). We may be able to move into our house a week early -- crossing our fingers!!
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| The front of the house. |
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| The backyard |
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| Backyard |
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| Bedroom with Balcony |
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The living room.
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| The porch |
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| The kitchen |
Friday, August 10, 2012
August 10, 2012
August 10, 2012
K and S had their second day of orientation. They are 2 of 24 new students in the 11th Grade at FIS and 2 of 123 in the FIS Class of 2014.
Today as Sarah and I were walking back from town, we spotted a Fish Truck in the grocery store parking lot. Although the woman in the truck did not speak English, we managed to figure out that the fish truck is in Oberursel on Tuesdays and Fridays -- sort like Woodbury. In addition to the Fish Truck, there is a Chicken Truck (Sarah and I like to refer to him as the chicken man). The Chicken truck sells roasted chickens, roasted pork knuckles (a German delicacy), spare ribs and weis (white) slaw.
Admittedly, today was a slow news day in Oberursel, but hold onto to your seats, the Corsicos are headed for France. O.k., not Paris, but we are going to Strasbourg, France tomorrow and staying over night. Sarah will finally get to France, but Paris will have to wait.
K and S had their second day of orientation. They are 2 of 24 new students in the 11th Grade at FIS and 2 of 123 in the FIS Class of 2014.
Today as Sarah and I were walking back from town, we spotted a Fish Truck in the grocery store parking lot. Although the woman in the truck did not speak English, we managed to figure out that the fish truck is in Oberursel on Tuesdays and Fridays -- sort like Woodbury. In addition to the Fish Truck, there is a Chicken Truck (Sarah and I like to refer to him as the chicken man). The Chicken truck sells roasted chickens, roasted pork knuckles (a German delicacy), spare ribs and weis (white) slaw.
Admittedly, today was a slow news day in Oberursel, but hold onto to your seats, the Corsicos are headed for France. O.k., not Paris, but we are going to Strasbourg, France tomorrow and staying over night. Sarah will finally get to France, but Paris will have to wait.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
August 9, 2012
August 9, 2012 -- Orientation and Chris's B-day
We attended Frankfurt International School's orientation today. The school seems great and it appears as if it will be academically challenging as well. Sarah's ears perked up when she heard that the Model U.N. was meeting in Paris this year. I am quite certain that she will become a member of that team.
We visited several German chocolate shops (Chocolaterie) in Oberursel to purchase chocolates (Shokolade) for Chris. On the recommendation of the store owner, one of the truffles we choose contained Riesling (wine made from white grapes found in the Rhine area of Germany). We also purchased Pflaumenkuchen (Plum Tart). You find these delicious tarts and cakes all over as it is plum season in Germany (season lasts from July through October).
One last observation for the day. After driving Chris's car and my rental car, I discovered something nifty about the cars in Germany. Both cars have automatic bright lights. When there is no car coming in the opposite direction, it activates the bright lights, but when it senses oncoming lights it lowers them to the regular headlights. I have never seen this in an American car. Clearly, a great safety device, particularly when people drive over a 100 miles an hour on a regular basis.
We attended Frankfurt International School's orientation today. The school seems great and it appears as if it will be academically challenging as well. Sarah's ears perked up when she heard that the Model U.N. was meeting in Paris this year. I am quite certain that she will become a member of that team.
We visited several German chocolate shops (Chocolaterie) in Oberursel to purchase chocolates (Shokolade) for Chris. On the recommendation of the store owner, one of the truffles we choose contained Riesling (wine made from white grapes found in the Rhine area of Germany). We also purchased Pflaumenkuchen (Plum Tart). You find these delicious tarts and cakes all over as it is plum season in Germany (season lasts from July through October).
One last observation for the day. After driving Chris's car and my rental car, I discovered something nifty about the cars in Germany. Both cars have automatic bright lights. When there is no car coming in the opposite direction, it activates the bright lights, but when it senses oncoming lights it lowers them to the regular headlights. I have never seen this in an American car. Clearly, a great safety device, particularly when people drive over a 100 miles an hour on a regular basis.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
August 8, 2012
August 6th -- Frankfurt
Chris was off to work for the first time since we arrived. We got up and decided to take a trip to Frankfurt. We got train tickets (we ended up paying twice the amount because we did not use the machine correctly). The train ride to Frankfurt from Oberursel was only 25 to 30 minutes long. We had lunch in a cafe and then purchased a panini machine (to make lunch in the hotel since we will be living there for 3 more weeks) and a fan. We found a bookstore that sells English language books. Our last stop in Frankfurt was Starbucks -- Katie and Sarah thoroughly enjoyed their ice teas.
Monday night we had our first real German meal. We went to Alt Oberurseler Brauhaus, a beer house in Oberursel that brews 16 different types of beer. Most of us had roast pork with red cabbage and bread dumplings. Christopher had Wienerschnitzel. The food as well as the drinks were excellent -- Sehr Gut!
August 7, 2012: The American goes to the Grocery Store
This morning we decided to eat breakfast in, so Sarah and I ventured to the supermarket, a little less than a kilometer from the hotel. Sarah went to get coffee down the street, so I was left to shop on my own. So, it should not seem too difficult to walk over to the carts, pull one out and go on your way. Such is not the case in Germany. The carts are locked together with a key that is attached to a chain that attaches to another cart. After wrestling with the cart, I watched others get a cart. It seemed so easy, simply place something in the slot and the cart released. After wandering around the parking lot for 5 minutes, I went up to the woman at the information desk. I said "Sprechen Sie Englisch?" She responded with " a little." I then asked my question -- how do you get a cart. She said oh you want to join the club and handed me an application (I might add -- completely in German) so that I could get a card for the supermarket. I proceeded to walk into the store and hold all of my items in my hands, I checked out and found Sarah. I got home and Googled "grocery cart in Germany" and found my answer. In order to release the cart, you have to deposit one Euro in the slot. When you return the cart to the proper place and lock it up, you get your Euro back. While incredibly frustrating for me at the time, it makes perfect sense. There are no carts rolling around the parking lot and there is no need for a worker to gather the carts and bring them into the store. This experience was a reminder to me, however, that I have a lot to learn.
Chris was off to work for the first time since we arrived. We got up and decided to take a trip to Frankfurt. We got train tickets (we ended up paying twice the amount because we did not use the machine correctly). The train ride to Frankfurt from Oberursel was only 25 to 30 minutes long. We had lunch in a cafe and then purchased a panini machine (to make lunch in the hotel since we will be living there for 3 more weeks) and a fan. We found a bookstore that sells English language books. Our last stop in Frankfurt was Starbucks -- Katie and Sarah thoroughly enjoyed their ice teas.
Monday night we had our first real German meal. We went to Alt Oberurseler Brauhaus, a beer house in Oberursel that brews 16 different types of beer. Most of us had roast pork with red cabbage and bread dumplings. Christopher had Wienerschnitzel. The food as well as the drinks were excellent -- Sehr Gut!
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| Brauhaus House |
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| The Brewery |
August 7, 2012: The American goes to the Grocery Store
This morning we decided to eat breakfast in, so Sarah and I ventured to the supermarket, a little less than a kilometer from the hotel. Sarah went to get coffee down the street, so I was left to shop on my own. So, it should not seem too difficult to walk over to the carts, pull one out and go on your way. Such is not the case in Germany. The carts are locked together with a key that is attached to a chain that attaches to another cart. After wrestling with the cart, I watched others get a cart. It seemed so easy, simply place something in the slot and the cart released. After wandering around the parking lot for 5 minutes, I went up to the woman at the information desk. I said "Sprechen Sie Englisch?" She responded with " a little." I then asked my question -- how do you get a cart. She said oh you want to join the club and handed me an application (I might add -- completely in German) so that I could get a card for the supermarket. I proceeded to walk into the store and hold all of my items in my hands, I checked out and found Sarah. I got home and Googled "grocery cart in Germany" and found my answer. In order to release the cart, you have to deposit one Euro in the slot. When you return the cart to the proper place and lock it up, you get your Euro back. While incredibly frustrating for me at the time, it makes perfect sense. There are no carts rolling around the parking lot and there is no need for a worker to gather the carts and bring them into the store. This experience was a reminder to me, however, that I have a lot to learn.
August 8, 2012
I picked my car up at the dealer, a loaner until the leased car can be registered. Sarah, Katie and I went to town to walk around. We found a store called "Rompels" which looked like the German version of Williams Sonoma, a very nice store which had gas grills, small appliances and everyday china etc. We also saw some very nice grocery baskets. Apparently, in Europe, people purchase grocery baskets (then you don't have to figure out how the grocery carts work) and use them when they go to the grocery store. I am not sure I am ready to do that yet, but time will tell. After window shopping and exploring, Katie, Sarah and I had coffee and snacks at a cafe. We must admit the cafe thing in the afternoon has become a habit -- clearly something we love about Germany. The ice-cream and pretzels as well!
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Week 1
August 1, 2012: The Arrival
We arrived at around 10:00 AM. After checking into the hotel, Christopher, Sarah, Katie and I took the train into the center of Oberursel. We had to wait a bit to change money as the banks close from 1 pm to 2 pm. After changing money, we attempted lunch. We went to a small cafe, where the menu was in german, so our Berlitz training was put to use. Christopher ordered a baguette mit Knoblauch thinking it was a baguette with sausage. He would be wrong. He ended up with garlic bread for lunch. In desperate need for ice, we sent Sarah to the front desk to ask for a bucket. The girl at the counter asked, Vanilla or Chocolate? (Eis = ice-cream in German). We made it through Day 1 in Germany without air conditioning and ice.
August 2, 2012: Ingelheim
We went to Wiesbaden and found an Italian Grocery store (Germany's version of Villarina's). The family ventured to Ingelheim where we opened bank accounts and saw Boehringer Ingelheim from a distance.
August 3, 2012: Christopher's B-Day
Sarah and I ventured into town to find breakfast for the family. Of course, that meant finding parking. Entering a garage we saw the word "verboten" and decided to turn around causing a traffic jam in downtown Oberursel. Eventually, we found city parking.
We had a family adventure to Luxembourg for Christopher's birthday --three hours on the Autobahn. Chris drove there. Over time, we got used to cars passing us on the left going 150 miles an hour. Driving through the narrow country roads made us feel as if we were in a James Bond movie.
August 4, 2012: Echternach and Trier
We visited the town of Echternach (Luxembourg) Saturday morning.
As you can see, it is a very quaint little village.
After having a snack in Echternach, we got back in the car and drove to Trier. Trier is an old German city that has ruins from Roman Empire dating back to 300 A.D. The town was also home to Karl Marx.
We arrived at around 10:00 AM. After checking into the hotel, Christopher, Sarah, Katie and I took the train into the center of Oberursel. We had to wait a bit to change money as the banks close from 1 pm to 2 pm. After changing money, we attempted lunch. We went to a small cafe, where the menu was in german, so our Berlitz training was put to use. Christopher ordered a baguette mit Knoblauch thinking it was a baguette with sausage. He would be wrong. He ended up with garlic bread for lunch. In desperate need for ice, we sent Sarah to the front desk to ask for a bucket. The girl at the counter asked, Vanilla or Chocolate? (Eis = ice-cream in German). We made it through Day 1 in Germany without air conditioning and ice.
August 2, 2012: Ingelheim
We went to Wiesbaden and found an Italian Grocery store (Germany's version of Villarina's). The family ventured to Ingelheim where we opened bank accounts and saw Boehringer Ingelheim from a distance.
August 3, 2012: Christopher's B-Day
Sarah and I ventured into town to find breakfast for the family. Of course, that meant finding parking. Entering a garage we saw the word "verboten" and decided to turn around causing a traffic jam in downtown Oberursel. Eventually, we found city parking.
We had a family adventure to Luxembourg for Christopher's birthday --three hours on the Autobahn. Chris drove there. Over time, we got used to cars passing us on the left going 150 miles an hour. Driving through the narrow country roads made us feel as if we were in a James Bond movie.
August 4, 2012: Echternach and Trier
We visited the town of Echternach (Luxembourg) Saturday morning.
As you can see, it is a very quaint little village.
After having a snack in Echternach, we got back in the car and drove to Trier. Trier is an old German city that has ruins from Roman Empire dating back to 300 A.D. The town was also home to Karl Marx.
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| The Roman Bathes in Trier |
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| Porta Nigra -- The City Gate |
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| Karl Marx's House |
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| The sign from Checkpoint Charlie at the Berlin Wall |
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