Wednesday, May 2
We have spent the last few days getting settled, shopping, and doing some exploring. Shopping is a challenge when everything is in German - it's a good thing there are lots of pictures on packages! We are trying to use our little bit of German, and fortunately there is generally an English speaker around to help us out, since most Germans speak a good amount of English. Our apartment has very few cooking supplies (the only knife is table knife!), so we off today to shop for some basics, which our landlady has graciously offered to pay for.
So, to catch up on the last few days...
On Sunday, we walked to the English Garden - a beautiful and extensive park with lots of walking trails, the Isar River, large grassy areas, and since it is Germany - a Bier Garden that holds 7,000! We also saw some surfers on a branch of the Isar River, believe it or not - maybe they wished they were in California!
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Our first beer and pretzel
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| The Chinese Tower Bier Garden |
Surfing the Eisbach on the Isar
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| Selling Weiss Spargel |
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| ...and ours is ready to cook. This was a lot of work, since it has to be peeled and the only knife we had was Gary's Swiss army knife! |
So, Blogspot is about to get the better of us. This is all the energy we have - more another day. Please comment if you feel like it. ( Denise)
Sounds like you guys are really settling in. Can't wait to hear about your adventures. One comment, I would make the font bigger on you posts. It is small. Maybe it is my computer but just a thought. Love and miss your, Lisa
ReplyDeleteThe font is plenty big on my computer -- bigger than the font used for the comments, for instance. And you can always do Ctrl+ to make it bigger.
DeleteJerry Doerr
We've been thinking about you, and are glad to hear the transition went smoothly. Yes, shopping in a second language is challenging. In an English store, you can scan the interior and know at a glance (from the signs) the basic layout. In a new language, that doesn't work and all the new words are overwhelming. But you'll be pros in no time. Looking forward to living vicariously, glad you're doing the blog. Hugs, Chris
ReplyDeleteHi, so great to read about and see some of your experiences! Will so enjoy traveling vicariously through you. The travel agent who helps us arrange our trips often says that Germany is her favorite place! Love your descriptions of your first forays into your environs. You will become acclimated in no time, I know! By the way, is any family coming over while you are there, or will you be bigtime Skypers?
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Marney
Hi Marney,
DeleteWish the kids were coming but babies and finances got in the way of making the trip, so yes, we are loving Skype!
Denise
Love your photos and descriptions of everything you're seeing and doing! Reading about trying to shop when everything is in German reminded me of stories my sister told of her shopping mishaps while living in Paris. She came home with fabric softener when she thought she was buying detergent, etc. :)
ReplyDelete-Peggy King
Hi Gary & Denise, come over to Konstanz and I will give you a crash course on skinning and cooking "Spargel"!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see, that you arrived well in Germany. Enjoy the first time and ... ich würde mich freuen, hier auch den einen oder anderen deutschen Satz von Euch zu finden!!!!
Bis hoffentlich bald - Munich - Konstanz is only a "Katzensprung"! :-) sunny greetings from Dettingen, alex.
How exciting to share your experiences! Is it Spring there . . . looks a bit cool??? How is the German beer compared to Portland's microbrews? Any chance you can send a link to your apartment so we can see where you live and/or a map with the location?
ReplyDeleteKeep the news coming. Love it!
Lisa and Bill