Saturday, July 11, 2009
I'm Back!
Goodness gracious, I can't believe it's been almost a month since I've written, or slept in a real bed for that matter. I moved into the apartment June 15th, surrounded by 28 boxes received from Oklahoma and even tho' there are precious memories in those boxes, there was no furniture. My rugs arrived a week later, and my oil painting, but boy do I wish I had those leather chairs.
I've been on the hunt for "stuff" mostly searching on Ramstein Yardsales.com, a virtual garage sale sort of like Craigs List, and things are beginning to take shape but I still sleep on a twin blow-up bed. I fell out of bed my first night here and landed hard on the cement/tile floor, giving myself a blackened eye and sore L. knee. I have since learned not to turn over in the middle of the night.
I perseverated on getting a grill for the balcony almost to the point of insanity, knowing I didn't have a place to eat, drink or sleep, but somehow a grill meant home and I was needing comfort. I succeeded! and celebrated with the most delicious club steak I have ever had in my life.
I don't like living in chaos and I dislike even more being without internet service for a month but today the boxes are empty and I'm wired! Many thoughts have transpired over the last month, and I even uttered the most dreaded phrase "I wonder if I made a mistake." And when my son's computer was stolen and he sounded so sad and disheartened, I was terribly homesick for him. I wanted to be close and comfort him, I wanted to be close and be comforted. Austen hasn't recovered his computer but he recovered emotionally and he did it without his mom. I'm not sure how I feel about that. I still need a hug.
Monday is my birthday. I'm having a pre-birthday celebration with my friend Cindy tonight, going to the musical HAIR in KaiserSlautern. By tomorrow I may be singing Age of Aquarius in german...or not. But I'm thinking it will be a good night.
Ciao for now good friends.
I've been on the hunt for "stuff" mostly searching on Ramstein Yardsales.com, a virtual garage sale sort of like Craigs List, and things are beginning to take shape but I still sleep on a twin blow-up bed. I fell out of bed my first night here and landed hard on the cement/tile floor, giving myself a blackened eye and sore L. knee. I have since learned not to turn over in the middle of the night.
I perseverated on getting a grill for the balcony almost to the point of insanity, knowing I didn't have a place to eat, drink or sleep, but somehow a grill meant home and I was needing comfort. I succeeded! and celebrated with the most delicious club steak I have ever had in my life.
I don't like living in chaos and I dislike even more being without internet service for a month but today the boxes are empty and I'm wired! Many thoughts have transpired over the last month, and I even uttered the most dreaded phrase "I wonder if I made a mistake." And when my son's computer was stolen and he sounded so sad and disheartened, I was terribly homesick for him. I wanted to be close and comfort him, I wanted to be close and be comforted. Austen hasn't recovered his computer but he recovered emotionally and he did it without his mom. I'm not sure how I feel about that. I still need a hug.
Monday is my birthday. I'm having a pre-birthday celebration with my friend Cindy tonight, going to the musical HAIR in KaiserSlautern. By tomorrow I may be singing Age of Aquarius in german...or not. But I'm thinking it will be a good night.
Ciao for now good friends.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Goodbye Hotel Europa, hello Seewoog
My bags are packed I'm ready to go, the Mini is loaded to the Max with suitcases and bags of dirty clothes. The computer will stay with me this last night, as will tomorrow's work clothes, then its one last beautiful breakfast and I check out.
I've never lived in a Hotel before, in fact I don't know that I ever stayed in a Hotel for more than maybe 5 days. I think it was Larry's Great Grandfather (?) who chose to live in a Hotel where he could gamble, smoke cigars and have his laundry done. I used to think that was weird But, I think I'm understanding a bit more now.
Room 306 has been my home for 34 days. It's a nice size room with a small refrigerator, a microwave, a round table with 2 chairs, a small desk and a large comfortable bed that has 2 mattresses and a space between them. The large shrunck comfortably housed my clothes, and the water pressure in the shower was divine. It surprises and delights me that I never felt I needed more.
The people I have come to "know" are perhaps the biggest asset to living in a Hotel. Many are here for an extended length of time and may or may not have their families with them, most are Military but there are some independent contractors like myself and Hotel Europa is a dog friendly place. I have many 4 legged friends of all varieties, from bull dogs, to labs, to corkies, to schnauzers. I have witnessed teenagers who despise their parents for uprooting them, to toddlers who delight in everything, to pre-adolescents who cannot believe there is cake served at breakfast. And then they disappear. Many resurface on base, at the bank or the immunization clinic, or in the housing office, and it's always good to see a familiar face.
No, in my stay here, I never felt I needed more. Until now. I can't wait to go to the hardware store to buy window boxes for my balcony and plant some flowers, to get a BBQ grill and cook dinner, to make my own ice, and who knows. Maybe I'll meet some people who don't disappear.
And even tho' I'm not leaving on a jet plane (thanks be to God), my bags are packed and I'm ready to go.
I've never lived in a Hotel before, in fact I don't know that I ever stayed in a Hotel for more than maybe 5 days. I think it was Larry's Great Grandfather (?) who chose to live in a Hotel where he could gamble, smoke cigars and have his laundry done. I used to think that was weird But, I think I'm understanding a bit more now.
Room 306 has been my home for 34 days. It's a nice size room with a small refrigerator, a microwave, a round table with 2 chairs, a small desk and a large comfortable bed that has 2 mattresses and a space between them. The large shrunck comfortably housed my clothes, and the water pressure in the shower was divine. It surprises and delights me that I never felt I needed more.
The people I have come to "know" are perhaps the biggest asset to living in a Hotel. Many are here for an extended length of time and may or may not have their families with them, most are Military but there are some independent contractors like myself and Hotel Europa is a dog friendly place. I have many 4 legged friends of all varieties, from bull dogs, to labs, to corkies, to schnauzers. I have witnessed teenagers who despise their parents for uprooting them, to toddlers who delight in everything, to pre-adolescents who cannot believe there is cake served at breakfast. And then they disappear. Many resurface on base, at the bank or the immunization clinic, or in the housing office, and it's always good to see a familiar face.
No, in my stay here, I never felt I needed more. Until now. I can't wait to go to the hardware store to buy window boxes for my balcony and plant some flowers, to get a BBQ grill and cook dinner, to make my own ice, and who knows. Maybe I'll meet some people who don't disappear.
And even tho' I'm not leaving on a jet plane (thanks be to God), my bags are packed and I'm ready to go.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Wholesale, retail, yardsale...
Yes, the decision was made to rent the house on Lake Seewoog, and the decision was made to buy the Mini. So, why am I still living in a Hotel, depending on the mercy of others to provide me transportation to work and to hunt for treasures in out of the way places, living much as a teenager with definite wants but needing the parents to complete the picture. Sometimes it can be absolutely maddening. Emancipation is a difficult process even at the age of 58.
I have the apartment and I even have the key but what is lacking is a bed, a couch and the contract for utilities from the German council. It's all very difficult to explain and I don't know that one would find it of interest, but being an American citizen, exempt from the mandatory 19% tax, simply creates a lot of paper work. It is a "step" that I am willing to take, no matter how laborious, given that in the long run it saves me a sizable amount of money. So yes, I have the key AND I have 28 boxes that have arrived from America, sitting in the living room with no couch.
Getting money for the Mini was almost as easy as it was for those poor yokels getting a mortgage loan without a job. Sign here. Done. Clean and dirty. Yes, I bought the Mini, and I even struggled for 2 days with someone who spoke as much English as I do German making sure I had adequate insurance. And I have my receipt for insurance and the bill of sale for the car, BUT no key. The kink is in the paper work, somewhere in the German system waiting for customs clearance.
And, it's hard to look for furniture without a car, a GPS, not knowing when or how I could arrange for delivery. Stores per sey don't attract me, never really have. I like the adventure and the thrill of finding something unique, cheap (or at least a good buy) and most importantly, the experiences along the way. Having to depend on someone you hardly know who wants to share in the adventure can be an an experience in and of itself. At least there is no paper work.
I responded to an Ad in the RamsteinYardsale.com for a "shrunck"..a german word for closet or wardrobe. None of the houses here have built in closets so one has to depend on shruncks. The response was from an elderly couple who live in a renovated 1459 Mill about an hour from Ramstein, saying they had a shrunck and lived in a mill. 2 men whom I have met at the hotel and work in the milling industry, were intrigued enough to agree to drive me. This was an experience to remember. The couple is very eccentric and deem themselves to be "collectors." He has a collection of over 8,000 coffee pots and She has over 3,000 dolls. They have collections of irons, doll house furniture, shruncks that you wouldn't believe and a wonderful Great Dane named Jake. Long story short, I bought a shrunck I found in the attic (Jake helped me pick it out) and He printed off a copy of his book that he recently finished about the history of the Mill. I love it. He punched 2 holes in the side and took a shoestring from his wife's boot in order to "bind it properly." When I go back next weekend to help disassemble the shrunck, he promised he would he would have a hard bound copy of the book for me.
How can Storehouse, Crate and Barrel, and Pottery Barn compete with the richness of shopping in a renovated Mill with 2 wonderful people who have such passion for their life and a willingness to share so openly? And, when is the last time you shopped along side a 230# great dane named Jake? Wholesale...pppfffttt retail..pppfffttt
Ramstein Yard Sale.com yyyyeeeeeaaaaa. and, NO PAPER WORK!!!
I have the apartment and I even have the key but what is lacking is a bed, a couch and the contract for utilities from the German council. It's all very difficult to explain and I don't know that one would find it of interest, but being an American citizen, exempt from the mandatory 19% tax, simply creates a lot of paper work. It is a "step" that I am willing to take, no matter how laborious, given that in the long run it saves me a sizable amount of money. So yes, I have the key AND I have 28 boxes that have arrived from America, sitting in the living room with no couch.
Getting money for the Mini was almost as easy as it was for those poor yokels getting a mortgage loan without a job. Sign here. Done. Clean and dirty. Yes, I bought the Mini, and I even struggled for 2 days with someone who spoke as much English as I do German making sure I had adequate insurance. And I have my receipt for insurance and the bill of sale for the car, BUT no key. The kink is in the paper work, somewhere in the German system waiting for customs clearance.
And, it's hard to look for furniture without a car, a GPS, not knowing when or how I could arrange for delivery. Stores per sey don't attract me, never really have. I like the adventure and the thrill of finding something unique, cheap (or at least a good buy) and most importantly, the experiences along the way. Having to depend on someone you hardly know who wants to share in the adventure can be an an experience in and of itself. At least there is no paper work.
I responded to an Ad in the RamsteinYardsale.com for a "shrunck"..a german word for closet or wardrobe. None of the houses here have built in closets so one has to depend on shruncks. The response was from an elderly couple who live in a renovated 1459 Mill about an hour from Ramstein, saying they had a shrunck and lived in a mill. 2 men whom I have met at the hotel and work in the milling industry, were intrigued enough to agree to drive me. This was an experience to remember. The couple is very eccentric and deem themselves to be "collectors." He has a collection of over 8,000 coffee pots and She has over 3,000 dolls. They have collections of irons, doll house furniture, shruncks that you wouldn't believe and a wonderful Great Dane named Jake. Long story short, I bought a shrunck I found in the attic (Jake helped me pick it out) and He printed off a copy of his book that he recently finished about the history of the Mill. I love it. He punched 2 holes in the side and took a shoestring from his wife's boot in order to "bind it properly." When I go back next weekend to help disassemble the shrunck, he promised he would he would have a hard bound copy of the book for me.
How can Storehouse, Crate and Barrel, and Pottery Barn compete with the richness of shopping in a renovated Mill with 2 wonderful people who have such passion for their life and a willingness to share so openly? And, when is the last time you shopped along side a 230# great dane named Jake? Wholesale...pppfffttt retail..pppfffttt
Ramstein Yard Sale.com yyyyeeeeeaaaaa. and, NO PAPER WORK!!!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Settle...
I marveled at the thirsty patrons when I was in Ireland, admiring their patience as the bartender poured the Guinness. Slowly and methodically he would spin the glass until it was not quite half full then he would set it on a special mat and give it time to settle. This would take easily 5-7 minutes before he would then top it off and let it settle once again. The end result was always perfect with just the right amount of head and a silent nod from the publican indicated it was now time to enjoy.
I found myself trying to rush some very important decisions ( an apartment, a car ) and then I remembered the pouring of Guinness. Some things just take time. I did go for my long walk last Sunday and discovered tables with linen cloths on the walking trail that surrounds Lake Seewoog. There were locals standing at a high bar in the woods having their morning bier, other locals sitting at the tables drinking coffee while the dog laid obediently beside the master, and I took the time to sit and have a cappacino. I gave myself time to "settle." And I observed a 5 year old boy riding bikes with his Opa, and I saw black ducks with white faces, and I saw empty picnic tables waiting for a party. I saw a red haired woman walking a golden retriever and other locals playing fetch with large dogs, and after I had given myself time to settle I knew this was where I wanted to live.
With one thing resolved, I started test driving autos from the Ramstein Lemon Lot. BMW's, 300 series, 500 series, VW polo series. As hard as I wanted it to be, nothing fit. I argued with myself, $$$, miles miles miles, expected time of service, color vs performance. It was time to "settle." Put me on that special mat and just let me be. It would all come to fruition if I didn't force it. It just takes time.
I bought my dream car of 7 years. A Mini Cooper. 2009, pepper white with black leather interior, sky roof and in-put for my I-pod. I drove that baby and thought
" should never have driven this car. It fits like a glove and I'm not even afraid of the traffic circles." No! I SHOULD drive this car. It fits like a glove and I'm not afraid of traffic circles!
Dreams. Wants and desires. Fears and thoughts of selfishness. Romance and practicality: all of these things need time to settle and come together in a cohesive manner. I have a place to live; I have a car to drive; I have reconciled my internal gas bubbles. For right now, I am settled enough. The publican has nodded. Cheers!
I found myself trying to rush some very important decisions ( an apartment, a car ) and then I remembered the pouring of Guinness. Some things just take time. I did go for my long walk last Sunday and discovered tables with linen cloths on the walking trail that surrounds Lake Seewoog. There were locals standing at a high bar in the woods having their morning bier, other locals sitting at the tables drinking coffee while the dog laid obediently beside the master, and I took the time to sit and have a cappacino. I gave myself time to "settle." And I observed a 5 year old boy riding bikes with his Opa, and I saw black ducks with white faces, and I saw empty picnic tables waiting for a party. I saw a red haired woman walking a golden retriever and other locals playing fetch with large dogs, and after I had given myself time to settle I knew this was where I wanted to live.
With one thing resolved, I started test driving autos from the Ramstein Lemon Lot. BMW's, 300 series, 500 series, VW polo series. As hard as I wanted it to be, nothing fit. I argued with myself, $$$, miles miles miles, expected time of service, color vs performance. It was time to "settle." Put me on that special mat and just let me be. It would all come to fruition if I didn't force it. It just takes time.
I bought my dream car of 7 years. A Mini Cooper. 2009, pepper white with black leather interior, sky roof and in-put for my I-pod. I drove that baby and thought
" should never have driven this car. It fits like a glove and I'm not even afraid of the traffic circles." No! I SHOULD drive this car. It fits like a glove and I'm not afraid of traffic circles!
Dreams. Wants and desires. Fears and thoughts of selfishness. Romance and practicality: all of these things need time to settle and come together in a cohesive manner. I have a place to live; I have a car to drive; I have reconciled my internal gas bubbles. For right now, I am settled enough. The publican has nodded. Cheers!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
So many decisions...
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.
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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