America and back!

For the past two weeks, I have been reconnecting with family, friends, and America on a lovely trip back for Tyler and Ricky's wedding. Even after just one month, I have definitely become accustomed to German ways. I felt as if the police were after me after idling the car on a hot summer day for more than 30 seconds, talking on the phone while driving, and not sorting my trash. Aside from that, being with old friends, reading everything in my own language, hanging out at the lake, and WalMart - yuuuup - were legitimately missed. Oh and I have yet to see a rainbow this spectacular in Deutschland!

Of course, there are MANY consistencies. This was highlighted on my trip back when I was abruptly awaken by some 7-8 year old boys on the train. Though I could not understand their words, by the humping and spanking gestures combined with the moaning, I knew what they meant. Apparently little boys are perverts across the globe. The only difference with my German encounter? The mother was watching and gave them a high-five when they returned to their seat. I'm praying it was actually the babysitter, otherwise I do not want to be here for those children to grow up.

Another surprise similarity I encountered today at the Commissary (military grocery store) was a stand advertising "Free Ice Cream." Turns out...drumroll please... BLUEBELL has made its way to Germany! My oh-so-thoughtful husband had found a gallon and had it waiting for me yesterday, but I thought for sure it was a one-gallon fluke that was actually intended to ship to Fort Hood. Wrong. Now the entire military community in Germany can experience the greatness that is Bluebell Homemade Ice Cream. If you have never tried Bluebell and you are state-side, shame on you. Please go to the grocery store and "Have yourself a Bluebell Country Day."

The long road home...

My recent journey back to Texas seemed to be blessed - the trains were prompt enough for me to make my five minute layover, but delayed when I happened to get off at the wrong train station for almost ten minutes (Frankfurt main is not the same as Frankfurt flughafen - thank god for American businessmen in Europe!). I had my own cabin in the economy class train perfect for a morning snooze, and arrived at the airport with enough time to enjoy my travel breakfast of choice - a warm, fresh, egg Mcmuffin (never gets old).

I boarded the plane early, and was greeted by a perplexed seat mate who said "that's weird... the flight attendant told me she moved me to this row so no one would be next to me..." I can deal with unfriendliness, if that is what you are thinking. In fact, for a 10 hour flight I would prefer to sit back, pop a benedryl, and doze off with some good tunes - no need for conversation.

Sadly, after squeezing into 12J, I realized this was not that type of journey. The center arm rest was raised and it was apparent it would never come down and it was fully engulfed by the side of my neighbor. An extra seatbelt was ordered, and for the next ten hours, 1/3 of my seat was occupied by something with a weird cheese/smelly feet odor.

 The silver lining? Several hilarious, completely stereotypical incidents including when I was asked "are you going to use your butter??" and "are you not going to eat those cookies??". True story. Shocking, I know.

I would like to enter politics just to pass a law mandating the purchase of a second seat when a second seatbelt is required (Becca- if you're reading this, can you give me a quick government crash course?). But in the meantime, I am looking forward to some suddenly needed R&R (don't I sound like and army wife already??) in the great state of Texas, and the much anticipated wedding of my dear friend Tyler!

Home, sweet home!

Finally! Patrick and I have moved out of the on-base hotel and in to our new home in Amberg. Above is a picture of our new front door - our German neighbor apparently put the flags up when the prior tenants deployed - the American flag on the left, and the Bavarian (Bayern) flag on the right. We are thrilled with our location and our welcoming neighbors!

With the transition plus a trip back to the states, we will not be venturing outside the city for a few weeks, but this weekend we found that we don't need to go far for a good time!
This whole week marks the Mariahilfberg Festival in Amberg. When the plague hit Amberg in the 1600s, the city turned the watchtower at the top of the hill into a chapel in honor of the Virgin Mary. After the plague ended a few months later, the chapel became a popular pilgrimage spot for people all over Bavaria. The demand was so great over the years that they built an actual (and beautiful!) church at the top of the hill. The crowds grew, and 300 years after the first pilgrimage to the mountain, the city threw a festival to celebrate the anniversary. Loosely translated to the "Mountain Festival," Patrick and I were amazed at how many people braved the heat (it was 90°!) and walked up the hill to pray and celebrate the miracle with plenty of local Biers and delicious food.
We were a sucker for the memory and bought one of the mugs we enjoyed from the local Amberg brewery, Brauhaus Amberg. Word of the wise - do not try to walk out with one of the festival mugs in hand. There were policemen planted at the exits gathering people who were trying to do just that. Thankfully, the first mug for our collection was legitimate (unlike the collection of beer glasses we have from an unnamed Winston-Salem brewery...)
The walk home was gorgeous - it's hard to make out but on the right is the view of Amberg at night!