Alright, we have almost been here for a month now. We are happy to report that we are feeling a little more settled. The girls are sleeping better and are in better moods. Overcoming jet lag as well as the adjustment to moving across the country, took a lot longer than we thought.
We have been busy exploring Wiesbaden, as well as a few other cities close by. We are located downtown in Wiesbaden, so we can walk to a lot to shopping, parks, the train station, etc. I really like where we are located and have enjoyed being close to everything. I still manage to get lost though, Robb has no idea how my sense of direction can be so bad. I even have a hard time with Google Maps and using the GPS. Eventually it will sink in, I hope. There are so many cool restaurants and places to sit outside. Sitting outside is especially nice when you have loud children.
Biebrich Palace
The Rhine
Flavored creamer!!!
We took a trip to Heidelberg twice in the last 2 weeks (Robb will be continuing his Masters there). We loved Heidelberg, it is so beautiful. We hiked up to the Schloss Castle and saw amazing views. As Robb previously wrote on one of his pictures, we walked up a crazy steep hill through the forrest. We were each carrying one of the girls and when we finally got to the top we found parking spots, cars and tour buses at the top, hence, we could have driven up that way. I think we went up some unexplored wilderness trail. It would not have been so bad if we planned this, but we decided to walk to the castle in the middle of our downtown exploring. One minute coffee and gelato and the next mountains. We will be more prepared next time! Imagine all of the possibilities if we planned a little more;-) We went back to Heidelberg last Friday for Robb to sign some paper work for this school and the woman getting his papers told us about the Marchen Paradies (Fairy Tale Park), so we thought we would try it out. It is a kids park with a few rides based on German fairy tales. Peyton and Micah loved it, but Robb and I called it Nightmare Land. Nursery Rhymes are just so weird and creepy and they had moving motorized puppets telling the story of Rumpelstiltskin, which is clearly already a scary, non-bedtime story for kids. We rode a witch on a broomstick which was a really sweet and fluffy kids ride, but Peyton thought she was riding a pony, so it all worked out:) It was a fun time with the kids, but sometimes Robb and I would look at each other and be like, okay, let's move on to the next thing. So, what I am saying is now we don't have to go to Disneyland Paris, because it's like we have already been and now it will be a let down;-)
Not a family selfie!
Heidleberg from the Schloss castle.
Is this culturally appropriate to let your children dance in fancy water fountains?
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Damage from a lightening bolt.
We have met some people through church and other things. We have met some really helpful people who have helped us get connected and find some other English speakers. I have even gone to some playgroups (for those of you who know me, know this is not my thing), but it is good. I am out of my comfort zone and being forced to stretch myself, so later I will see the good in it! It is so weird to be in a place where you virtually know no one and have to start making friends again. I feel like I have to be really polite and nice, but hopefully my sarcastic side can come out soon!
Last Saturday, we drove into Frankfurt and went to the Zoo. The auto bahn is a little crazy, especially because often there are no speed limits. We usually go like 130 km/hr tops and people pass us going well over 200 km/hr like we are standing still. I am sure Robb looks forward to when we are not in the car and can test this out. Another little driving thing... there are cameras EVERYWHERE. We may have already gotten a few tickets because we did not know about these until week 2. People have even been ticketed for following too close and using cell phones via the cameras. I never see Polzei, but people seem to follow speed limits in town! The speeds change really quickly and then sometimes there are no limits, so you really have to pay attention or, as we have found, a camera will flash at you! The zoo was fun and had lots of animals. It is located right downtown. We spent the day looking around. We have noticed whenever we go to have a snack at a concession at the places we have been our choices are usually pomme frites and bratwurst, or curry bratwurst. These would be the hamburger and fries of our concession stands. Fries most always have the option of mayo and ketchup, as opposed to just ketchup and are always eaten with a fork. The other night Robb rode a bike out to get some food for us for dinner and the tire was slightly flat, so he went to a gas station to pump some air into it. He went in and asked for help, but they refused to help him (no idea why). So, Robb took off the cap thinking he was going to pump the air in it and all of the air came out of the tire as soon as he took off the cap. We keep saying how its funny, things all look the same, yet they are just a little bit different and remind us we are not at home. Someone likened it to an episode of the Twilight Zone... So, to end that adventure Robb walked the bike home with a flat tire. We have decided we are going to be jerks when we get home, because we will learn to be pushy and forceful here. People are always budging in front of us in line ups wherever we are. Even at the park when I am waiting for a swing for the girls, some one will just come in front and take it first. Robb even got pushed out of the way once at a gas station. Good times! So, watch out for us when we return:)
Showing us how responsible she is to eat her yogurt on her own. The amount of food I wash out of her hair every night is sick.
Fairy Tale Land AKA Nightmare Town.
Riding on the witch and her broomstick.
Life here is interesting and even more interesting with young children. We keep saying we are the poster card children for those meme things like what I think I look like and then what I actually look like. What we thought living in Europe looked like, in reality is a lot different than it actually looks like. I think in the end we will really grow close as a family and have a great time. Robb and I enjoy coffees and usually chocolate on the deck when the kids go to bed. I look forward to that time every night. Oh and the funny thing was I got so many comments from people about the flavoured creamers. A few days after I posted that a new friend of ours bought me two huge creamers from the American Commissary on base. It was a huge blessing. God has been good to us and is always faithful even in the small things.
We are getting used to the apartment living. Even cooking is different, as they do not use measuring cups, but weigh ingredients. Also the oven here is gas and you have to light it with a match. I feel like my cooking skills, or should I say Robb's, will be very creative. I am getting used to walking the stairs to the apartment. Peyton told me today that when she goes back to Canada she will be so good at stairs and everyone will be so impressed:) So make sure you compliment her on her good stair climbing abilities when we return. Good means she is taking maybe 9 minutes to climb them, instead of 10. Today was the first day Peyton attended a German ballet class. It worked out that she was able to attend the first dance studio I called. When I told the owner on the phone that we do not speak German and I wanted to register Peyton in ballet, he informed me that this was Germany and people speak German here. I thought this was really helpful, because I have been struggling to figure out where we have been for the last month. He was abrupt and fairly rude to me, but then when we showed up he was very nice. The teacher actually speaks English and just got back from visiting Vancouver and even spent a few nights in Kamloops last month. For the first half of the class, Peyton was mesmerized by the mirrors and just stood there making faces at herself in the mirror, but eventually started to follow along. She passed the first class anyway, they said she could try again next week and if it is okay we can register her for the semester. She seemed to love it. We prepped her saying she wouldn't be able to understand the teacher, but to just follow along. Then later when she talks about speaking German, she speaks some kind of gibberish and calls it German, so she seems to be fluent so far!
Robb started school last week. Last week there were no students yet, so it was a teacher prep week. Robb had meetings all week in German... He said they sounded very productive, but he could not be sure! This week is his first week with students. He is really liking the school and the staff have been very welcoming and helpful. The students seem very respectful and stand up when he greets them... And he has not been called Mr. Dolson in class for almost 5 years now so that could take a bit of getting used to! One thing that is VERY different from the Canadian system is that the kids stay in their room and the teachers switch rooms. So he runs from class to class! The other thing that is different is that when some one is sick they do not call a replacement or TTOC in, instead the staff just cover for the missing teacher if they have a spare block. This led to me and the girls waiting around for half an hour to be picked up because Robb had an extra block to cover this week!
Hmmm what else is there to say? We have had warmer weather in the last week and a half. We have enjoyed walking the girls down the park by the train station and bringing a soccer ball to play with. We even wore shorts the other day. Quite a few people have commented on the fact that they can tell we are not from here as we always wear flip flops all the time. The stroller is still a hit and gets lots of comments
and nods.
Peyton talking to Isla on the phone.
Train station in the background.
Lastly, the random thoughts. No ice in drinks. Popeyes Chicken on base, heck ya (from Robb). When in doubt, budge. If you get home after 5pm, you will not find a parking spot, even if you drive around the block 20 times. FaceTime ring tone makes the kids go ballistic. Church bells ring for a long time on the hour.
Thank you for all the comments and prayer. We are doing well and having fun, but miss everyone at home. Peyton seems to be struggling a little with missing family and friends. Pray she continues to adjust. God is good to us and we are thankful. "If I ride by the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me and your strength will support me." Psalm 139:9
