Chapter 14

Guten Tag!! I stayed up late last night learning German. Late as in 10:30. Emma gave me German for Dummies, and I have enjoyed it thus far. Who would have ever thought that I'd be studying German, in a cottage, in a "village" (that's what they call the towns), in Germany, alone, at 21. Wow.

I have decided that this is more of a book than a blog. And this is chapter 14.

My watch alarm went off at seven. I turned it off. The house was quiet. I fell back asleep. I woke up to Emma yelling down the stairs to Cameron, "Oi!! Cameron!! It's 7:30!!" All five boys, myself, and Emma were running around like chickens with our heads cut off trying to get ready as quickly as possible.

I got ready in my room. Luckily my hair looks okay when I sleep on it when it's straight. As i was getting dressed i realized i had lost my leggings! I bet they got left on the overnight train to Munich. I kinda panicked because that eliminated more than half of my wardrobe-leaving me with one pair of pants for eight weeks. Not gonna happen. I wore my black under armor long johns under my tunic and called it good for now. I ate a banana, got Jonah and Darwin in the car, and we were in our way.

We dropped the three youngest off at their schools and then Emma dropped me off at the station. That all took 30 minutes!! I don't know how this lady does all the things he does. She told me the bus number to catch to get back home, but I told her I wouldn't be long so she could just pick me up after work at 2. I hate buses. I never know which stop to get off at and I just feel so out of control. I'll probably have to ride one when I get back from Rothenberg later this week though. :(

I saw a shop advertising leggings right when I got to Wurzburg, so I went right in and bought me some new ones for 7 euros. Not too bad!! It was freezing today, -5 Celsius, so I needed the extra layer for sure!! My face got windburn from the cold air throughout the day.

I explored Wurzburg for three hours. I'm the master of speedy sight seeing. It's not too hard when you're alone and can come and go from each sight as you please...definitely one of the joys of solo travel! Honestly, everything is kinda starting to look the same to me. I did see two palaces today though: Fort Marienberg and the Wurzburg Residenz. I took a tour of the Residenz and it was amazing!! No pictures allowed though :( I hate that!! How am I supposed to remember what I saw?? Or show it off?! I snuck a few before I got in trouble. Two rooms were unforgettable though...there was the Mirror Cabinet which was all mirrors, obviously, but they had gold decoration and paintings all over them. The staircase was the most grand thing I've ever seen. On the ceiling is the largest fresco in the world. Really, I can't explain the place so you're just going to have to look it up. I wish I could make links on the blogger app, but I don't know how...

I got a great view of the fortress and Alte Mainbrucke (Old Main Bridge). It was one of my favorite views so far. I like pretty views, landscapes, and scenery. I'm exited for Switzerland next week!!!

There are a million and one cafes here. Every other shop is a cafe with a display of a wide variety of beyond delicious looking pastries. I tried a "vanille brezel" today and it was mmm mmm good. I want to try every pastry in the window. The people here walk by the beautiful churches and even the castles no problem, but their heads turn at the cafes as much as mine does. Sometimes giving in to temptation is a good thing ;) the people here also drink a LOT of coffee. Like six cups a day..Emma told me. Their cups are half the size of American coffee cups but they contain just as much, if not more, caffeine. So many people stand outside the cafes at a table and just sip away. Most cafes provide the coffee in a nice little teacup if you stay to drink it. It's cute.

I used self timer a few times today. It was embarrassing, but after one night of German for Dummies, I wasn't quite ready to start asking the Germans to take my picture. I have started saying danke though!! And hallo...not hello or hi. It is strange to me that people see me on the streets and really have no idea I'm American. Send me to Africa or Asia, and yeah, the people would know I was different. But here, until I speak, I am one of them.

I only got lost once today!! That's a new record!! Thank you, thank you very much. I say that because I know you're applauding me and also because all four boys are showing me their best MJ moves at the moment. Darwin, the two year old, is some tough competition to the King of Pop when it comes to the crotch grab. Haha whoa wait a minute. I'm totally mixing up Elivis and MJ. How could I do such a thing?! I'm so embarrassed, but I'm laughing too hard to delete it. Hahaha...so blonde sometimes.

Anywayyyy....I ate a bratwurst on baguette for lunch. Be proud. I'm not a big "hot dog" eater, and while brats are better than hot dogs they still kinda make me...I don't know...cringe??? It tasted good, but I just had to ignore what I was eating. I felt very German. It only cost 2.20 euros too. Germany is loads cheaper than Belgium.

I got on the train and headed back to Schweinfurt. Emma picked me up at 2:30 (the plan was 2:15). I was nervous about being left with no phone or wi fi to contact her, but knowing her I just knew she was running late.

I really, really enjoy talking to Emma. Because she's from England she can tell me about both England and Germany. The Germans are very pompous, and the English are proper...there's a difference. Emma's family is what I would call a "social outcast" because having four kids and five dogs is unheard of in Germany. It's actually totally crazy and "not ok." Most German families have no more than two kids and either zero or one dog. They are well put together people...lots of order. Emma's family is just crazy most of the time!! I like it.

We got home at about 4, and I started making dinner. Guess what I made?? Spaghetti surprise!!! My dad's specialty!!! I cooked the meat, added onion and garlic, added tomato sauce and tomatoes, and then the secret ingredient. Unfortunately, the kids are extremely picky eaters so I couldn't add much else. Haha. It wasn't much of a surprise this time, but I still like to call it that. Emma picked the kids up from school and got them ready for karate. I went with her to take them because I wanted to go grocery shopping with her.

We arrived at the grocery store and he used some sort of key to "unlock" a shopping cart. It can cost 1-5 euros to "rent" a shopping cart!! She was shocked that I was shocked that they did that. She said people steal them if they don't. The carts also go all four directions...left right forward and back. Right on!! I kept fighting her to push the cart cause I thought it was so awesome. It also had a magnifying glass in the handle so people like my mom don't have to embarrass themselves by pulling their pocket magnifier out ;) The store was very similar to the new Harmon's in Farmington. Frau Schreiber helped us check out from her cashier chair. Real nice lady. I think. Actually I really don't know cause she only speaks German. (And even goo goo ing at a baby sounds like yelling in Deutsch-pronounced doytsch! Include the exclamation point at all times.) I just liked her name I guess...

We headed home, enjoying donuts on the way because we just could not resist. Germans do not use grocery sacks...remember what I said about the required recycling?? Yeah, so unloading the car totally sucked. But we got it all in and went to work on the broken dishwasher. After an hour of struggling, I messaged my dad because he always has the answers and he's fixed a million and one problems like it, and we were desperate. We ended up face timing because it was easier for him to explain what to do that way. I tried to show him under the sink, but we needed a flashlight. Emma quickly corrected us by calling it a torch. He talked us through some possible problems/solutions and then we chatted for a bit before I hung up to conquer the dishwasher once and for all. The kitchen was flooded with water at this point and I got to hear Emma say "bloody hell" in an authentic British accent...it totally made my day, possibly my week.

We somehow got the dishwasher running. Emma wants my dad's phone number so she can call when she needs his services again. She also said she will be his "international reference" if he ever changes jobs ;) Pretty much my dad is awesome...even British German ladies think so!! ;)

We mopped for a long time and then finally gave the kids dinner. Spaghetti surprise=success!!

I'm enjoying my time here. Really, I am! While they are jot typical Germans, I am loving learning about the way of life here by LIVING it. What an opportunity this is...I'm so freaking grateful!!!

That's about it!! Ha. I like how I act like I've said nothing at all...

Oh! Dishwasher update. It successfully did one empty cycle. We have loaded it up. I will report tomorrow. Emma and I would both like to thank my dad for his mad skills.

Crap, one more thing. Arlie, the 7 year old, loves Justin Bieber about as much as I do. I wish I had the movie so we could watch it as my sister, Rachel, and I do. I'd include Kylie, but she's moved on...and she plugs her ears whenever I sing. I don't blame her... :/

Til tomorrow...

Auf Wiedersehen!!!

Enjoy the sights of Wurzburg:

January 30, 2012

I walked to the kindergarten to take Jonah his lunch. When i got there, the door was locked and the workers did not speak English. So I went back to the house and told Cameron he needed to come with me because I don't speak German. He came and we dropped off the lunch, late.

We spent the afternoon playing Mario Kart and putting away dishes. Cameron is pretty mature for a 12 year old. This whole family is very outgoing which helps me because I. Am. Not. For anyone that knows me, they will understand how hard this is for me. I hate being an inconvenience to others. I hate not knowing my place. Am I a part of the family? Do I sit around the fire/TV at night with them? Do I boss the children around? Do I answer the phone? I just am not sure. It's especially hard when I'm staying here for free...I want to pay for my stay through work, but I do not know what is too little and what is too much. I don't want to be offensive by cleaning everything. I also can't believe that Emma finds people online and within a few hours of meeting them lets them be home alone with her children..it is weird to me. What if I was a druggie or child molester or something?? She must really need the help...

I put a log or two on the fire...such a small thing made me so happy. I felt so...old school. So rural.

Cameron and I played Mario kart for a while. He was impressed with my pretty mad skills. He told me about all the bombs he had been making on some video game he had. He wants to be an inventor. He also told me that he wants to be a professional sky diver as well. When I told him I have been before, his jaw dropped to the floor. He was SO jealous!!

Cameron didn't want to go with me to get Arlie and Jonah from school. He tried to teach me how to say "I'm here to get Arlie and Jonah" in German, but I couldn't even say the first two words. He called me hopeless and started to write a note. I was laughing so hard. German lessons from a 12 year old, and I couldn't even say "I'm here.." it was hilarious. I went without the note because they had seen me at lunch and Cameron had told them I don't speak German. I got them just fine and we walked/scootered home.

We played more Mario Kart, and Arlie kept getting closer and closer to the TV. It was funny. :) We talked about our love for Star Wars, and i checked out their little figurine collection. Jonah was all clingy to me. He reminds me of my nephew because he's about the same age, but my nephew is SO much better. :) Being in a place with so many similarities to home has made me extremely home sick, but my time gets better the longer I'm here.

Jonah, the 4 year old, asked me if I could speak British. I told him i could but i'd sound silly. He also told me to stop saying "what?" and to instead say "pardon?"

I made him a nutella sandwich. I'm pretty sure nutella is pretty huge here in Europe. Chocolate spread is everywhere. In the hostels they had butter, jan, and/or chocolate spread.

I played with Jonah some more and then gave Darwin a turn at Mario Kart.

Emma got home and started on dinner. She asked me if there's anything I don't eat. I told her "no, I'm not picky." I'm really not, with the exception of tomatoes. She said that was the right answer!!

They call their mom mum and mummy and their dad Aaron. Strange isn't it? I'm totally typing this in a British accent.

We had "schnitzel" for dinner. I think that actually means meat. It was kinda like macaroni and cheese with meat in it. It was way better than m&c though. Typical homemade goodness.

I did the dishes and tidied up. Emma and I chatted about swimming pools and school holidays for a bit, and then I watched Arlie play Fifa on the wii. We were talking about football and he said, "I can't stop playing football. In the rain, snow, or sun. On the cement, grass, or dirt. On the tv. In the backyard. I can't stop playing football." That's pretty much the attitude of every European said perfectly from the mouth of a nine year old. Every time he scores he runs around the house screaming and waving his arms in celebration.

Cameron showed me some video games. It totally reminded me of my sisters on their little game websites. Once again...so much like home.

I played with the dogs while Emma put the kids to bed, and then Emma and I stayed up to chat for a bit. We sat on the settee as she calls it and talked about car hunting in car parks (parking lots) and her fear of automatic cars. Yes, automatic. She is scared to death of driving an automatic. I couldn't stop laughing. She's taking me to the train station (in her manual van) tomorrow so I can go see Wurzburg.

It has been mellow day of recuperation. I am so grateful for the wonderful life I'm so blessed to live. I wouldn't trade what I have at home for anything in the world. No castle. No mansion. No quaint townhome in Belgium. No cute cottage in Germany. I miss my home and family and dogs, but I'm learning too much in this solo journey to 100% wish I was there right now.

Yesterday Emma was telling me about their hopes to move to France to have a better life where there's more to it than work and sleep. I thought to myself that it doesn't matter where you are...the joy and purpose of life truly comes from the gospel of Jesus Christ. How unfortunate it is for these people over here (and everywhere) to not have that knowledge. I wish I'd brought a Book of Mormon to leave at every home and hostel I stay at on this trip, but since I didn't, I pray that my spirit will touch them and that my prayers for them (and the missionaries) will someday lead them to the gospel so that she can feel and understand the "more" that there is to life here on earth.

And with that, I say goodnight. At 8:30. These people go to bed so early!!

Workaway in Schweinfurt, Germany

I arrived in Wurzburg, used the WC for .50 euro, found a map, and explored a little bit. I will be going back so I'll post about Wurzburg later this week.

I returned to the station and got a buttered pretzel for a snack. I will et a brat while in Germany...i just wasn't ready for it. I got on the 17:07 train to Schweinfurt. It was just a thirty minute ride. Emma, my hostess, was to be picking me up at 17:40.

I had told her that I would be wearing a big red backpack and she also had seen pictures on my workaway profile. I had no idea what to look for. For twenty minutes I paced the station asking myself what the heck I was doing here. I started making a plan of what to do if she never showed up. By about 18:00 I was getting really worried and wanted to go home. :(

At about 18:10, a woman approached me and said, "Ah! Big red backpack!" she proceeded to apologize and said it had been a crazy weekend. In fact, she didn't stop talking until we got to her home, about a ten minute drive.

The family is from England. Aaron, the dad, works on the Czech border and is gone Monday-Friday. Emma, the mom, teaches English. She works with a variety of businesses. There are four boys: Cameron (12), Arlie (7), Jonah (4), and Darwin (2.5). They're all cute, but they're all crazy. Cameron stayed home sick from school so he's here with me today during the day. There are five dogs: Maya (BIG black German Shepard), Pax, Nil, Tafi, and Bob (all little terriers). Nil had six puppies on Saturday, and they are cute as can be!! The house is cute, a disaster, but cute. My room is the nicest but probably just because it's the cleanest. I like the door knobs here...they're like the front doors at home, but every door has one. That was random, sorry.

I arrived at the house and met everyone. We had pizza for dinner, and while the parents were downstairs or something, I was eating with the three youngest in the kitchen. They got CRAZY, and the dogs ended up eating more pizza than the humans did. I did not want to tell them no because I don't know if that's appropriate or not...

I did a bunch of dishes because their dishwasher broke yesterday. I kinda got carried away and started cleaning the whole kitchen. Emma asked me if cleaning was therapeutic for me...haha. It totally is!!

I sat around in the kitchen with the dogs and Emma for a while. Aaron sat on the couch and drank beer and yelled at the kids. Haha. The 2.5 year old showered by himself which I though was both weird and dangerous.

Did you know that it's against the law to NOT recycle here in Germany?? Paper. Glass. Aluminum. Plastic. And even food scraps!! It all must be recycled. They have five recycling bins here.

I went up to my room at about 8 I clock and got settled in. I slept well, and since I was told my services were not needed until the evenings, I slept in until 8:45.

I took a shower in the shower with no shower curtain. I got ready and then cleaned the bathroom as best as I could. I finally came downstairs at about 10. Emma left me a note telling me to help myself to breakfast an ten just a few things i need to ge sone today. Cameron showed me the puppies and around the house. I did a million dishes and emailed Chris in South Africa. We both found it weird that it was day for the both of us since it hasn't been that way for a long, long time. Cameron has been keeping the fire going cause it's freezing and there is no heater.

That's where I'm at now!! I have to take lunches to the two youngest at kindergarten and also pick them up this afternoon. It's within walking distance, thank goodness, because I cannot drive manual very well.

Tomorrow I think i'll head back to Wurzburg during the day.