For me to be wide awake and rested on a Sunday morning @ 5AM is an unnatural state of being, but that is where I am in this new country. I retire early and rise just as early, normally eager to greet the day. This morning however, I am weary albeit awake.
I passed my drivers license test on Friday and the next task is to find and buy a car. To drive in Germany means that one is alert, attentive, not afraid of speed and courteous. I can do courteous. But, I am already feeling the angst of being responsible for getting from A to B, even though I DO know my German signs! I have grown accustomed to having my breakfast, taking my last cup of coffee out to the terrace, reviewing notes of what I must accomplish for the day while waiting for my "driver." That is about to end. Until I got my license, I wasn't allowed by law to even test drive a car now, I can. I'm leaning toward a BMW primarily because 9 out of 10 used cars are Beemers, and soldiers are being deployed left and right and forced to leave their cars behind. I'll maybe make a decision this week. Stay posted.
Cars aside, my time in beautiful Hotel Europia is coming to an end and I must decide on where to live. I have a verbal contract on an apartment overlooking Seewoog Lake in the village of Miesenbach (pronunciation guide: when I and E are walking the second one does the talking.) It's quite large for an apartment in Germany, 120sqm, 3 bedrooms, large living area, built in kitchen (not necessarily a given)and 1.5 baths. There is a large balcony off the living room with an unobstructed view of the lake, which sits on the outer edge of a national forest. Very serene, with multiple walking trails going in every direction to various villages. The Village itself is, like most of Germany, is extremely clean and the streets very narrow. Streets and stoops are swept daily in the morning and early evening to maintain the pristine surrounding. There is however, nothing but residence's in this village, which means no market, coffee shop, guest house, etc. And I wonder as I ponder if this will end up being too serene for me.
And remember. I sold all of my personal belongings which means I now have to find furniture and figure out a way to have it all delivered. I find myself overwhelmed right this moment. A friend took me to yet another village yesterday and even tho' it was not as charming architecturally there were local businesses and a large Bahnhof station. We stopped for a libation and talked to an American couple who was house hunting and they were not only knowledgeable about the village, but couldn't stop singing it's praises. It would be 12 minutes to base if the autobahn is open, 20 minutes otherwise. Oh no. I would be on the AUTOBAHN in my new used car looking for an exit going 120km/h. No more singing along with Cat Stevens! Attention, Alert.
I simply don't know what to do. For right now I think I'll go for a long walk, maybe to Miesenbach and walk around the lake. I'll look for inspiration and hope for Divine intervention. Then I will shower and go to a German Castle for a tour and dinner with a new friend named Cindy (a local nationalist.)
And I'll take my camera so you will no longer have to depend on words alone.
Ciao for now.
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9 comments:
So, if you're going bear, you might as well go grizzly -- at least that's what I always say. Maybe a little BMW convertible. I guess I never thought of the autobahn as being closed. Still, if there's a "back road" maybe that's a solution so you can still sing. What's 8 mintutes anyway? No more driver, no more "Breakfast is ready, madam" -- oh, life has a way of getting real:) I look forward to the photos.
Sorry, you'll have to wait on the photos although I took many today, starting with my trail from Ramstein to Miesenbach, streets of Miesenbach, the lake, the apt. etc. I don't however have my cable that connects my camera to the computer. I deligently carried every thing on the plane that I thought I would need, the euro charger, i=pod connector, charger, phone, etc. But that one little cable must be packed in household boxes. I'll go the electronic store on base tomorrow and buy a new one. I can't wait for you to see them. AND, I made a decision. Inspiration/intervention. Thats what 2 hours walking will do. Patty just sent me a marathon email giving me advice, but its too late........
my decision is made!!!
And the decision is ........................?
I'm taking the apartment on the lake. As I walked the lake this morning, I ran into 10 tables and chairs with tablecloths, on the walking path. To the right there was a shelter from the rain, a stand up bar and 4 or 5 local German men having a beer, talking quietly. there was an old man with his dog sitting at one of the tables having coffee. I stopped, ordered a cappacino and it was the best I have ever had. 1 euro. The House sells coffee, cakes, 5 beers on tap and all sorts of soda and ice cream. It appears to be the "spot" for locals. There was a little boy on a bike, riding with his "Opa" grandpa, and numerous neighbors there playing with their dogs. As I was leaving and walking by the apartment, my landlords were washing my windows and invited me in. They proudly showed me the new refrigerator they bought just for me. The woman sayig she could tell I deserved the best, so they bought me a large ice closet...unheard of here. Then Herr Clements showed me the new dish washer. And it just seemed so right. It took me only 15 minutes to walk to Ramstein Village and to Edeka. Not a bad walk. And not quiet or too serene. What was your vote?
Congratulations, Mom. I know you'll be happy on the lake. You shouldn't trust Americans anyway... they don't know from Germany.
I'm in favor of the lake now that it is not stuck in the middle of nowhere away from the hustle bustle. Yippeee. Good to have a home base.
I love your blog. So colorful, so discriptive. I can picture it all, but would still love to see your new lakeview apt and village. I like the idea of a bar along the walking path. Now that's my kinda walk!
I love your blog Aunt Jenny!! I am so thrilled for you and this chapter! xoxo
Welcome Sarah Su!!! I'm so very happy to see your name in comments! Thank you.
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