Anna Burnett: October 2015

Thursday, October 29, 2015

After two straight weeks of my cooking we were both craving something different, so this weekend so we decided to jump on the train and spend the evening in the city.

Cologne at night is magical, as I am sure are all European cities, but this one seemed extra special because it is our new home. The great cathedral is always stunning but it was lovely to see it lit up at night; the bells were ringing and the moon was out, just lovely.

Monday, October 26, 2015

Friday, October 23, 2015

Hello hello!

Well, good gracious, where to start? It has been an interesting few weeks here, moving in, receiving dogs, getting the lay of the land, Z starting work, and me trying to figure out day-to-day life. So many things. Despite all this, I can confidently say that we are where we are supposed to be. Our new place is lovely and living in a smaller village suits us well.

Here are some observations so far:

-Speaking German is hard. Most days I feel like a troll, pointing and grunting. Other days, I feel like I am in a perpetual game of charades. Language training soon to come...

-Energy efficiency is a religion here...

-Driving is an entirely new experience: the roads are tiny and narrow, people seem to park wherever they like, on the sidewalk or the side of the road. If you are driving and a large truck is coming, you better pull over, or you will die...

-Castles are not over-rated...

-The Autobahn is, well, a lot of fun. I am sure that me driving at 170 km/ hr is something my parents don't want to hear about, but that's how it's done here...

-Rental furniture is, well, rental furniture....

-Shopping.....hmmmmmm. We have had a few misunderstandings in this department. Don't buy the "toothpaste" that is actually denture cream...

-Cold! It is cold here, and thank goodness our air shipment arrived on Friday with out winter hats and coats...

-Going anywhere without an umbrella is a bad idea...

- Hearing church bells on your evening walk is my new favorite...

-Make sure you have cash on you, most places don't accept cards...

-Bidet or not to Bidet, that is the question...

- Make friends with your neighbors, they will lend you English DVDs when you are desperate for something to do at night...

-Having a washer and dryer with ten million options all in German, randomly pushing buttons hoping you are doing it right...

-Feel like a contender in the Hunger Games while visiting Ikea...

-CANNOT wait to receive our furniture, sleeping in our bed never sounded so amazing...

-Our dishwasher cycle takes years, and then it has to air dry...

-Dogs get jet lag, and it is wonderful...

-Recycling is insane here, don't think I will ever get it quite right...

-Beautiful flowers and green grass everywhere...

- Nettles = Bad...

First day of work.... tired, but still handsome