I haven't written in a few weeks for several reasons:
1. I still don't have internet access at home and still can't see the newer posts or people's comments on my work computer. If the comments weren't automatically e-mailed to me, I wouldn't know they were there. Thanks, MS and Mony, for your thoughtful comments.
2. I'm doing day and weekend-long trips on the weekends and am taking German class two nights a week. I haven't had the energy to write much lately. (But FYI, I've been back to Regensburg. Back to Heidelberg. Went to a friend's vernissage in Mannheim -- check out Dietmar Brixy. Wandered around Kallmuenz, and visited the oldest monastic brewery in Germany or the world, not sure which -- the brew was excellent.)
3. A friend told me my blog is "nice." Ugh. N-I-C-E. The kiss of death. He encouraged me to embellish. Ah come on. Some of us know that I don't want to turn into my sister and embellish every story I ever tell whether it's an interesting story and worth the embellishment or not (hers are usually NOT). Okay, she and I are on the outs right now so I can say all that. And no, I won't 'fess up. It wouldn't be "nice."
More to follow.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Sunday, September 9, 2007
At home in Heidelberg
You may know that I lived in and around Heidelberg, Germany, from 1985-1988 and loved it there. I always enjoy returning to visit this home away from home. Now I've learned that I have a real family connection to the area.
A cousin of mine who is doing some genealogy work on my family just e-mailed to say this:
"It happens that between Switzerland and America, your direct ancestors spent about a hundred years in the little town of Michelfeld, Germany, which is just about 10 kilometers due south of Heidelberg, just west of Sinsheim. Your 6th great grandparents were born there and baptized in the Michelfeld Lutheran Church. He was Johann Michael Näf (Neff), bn 21 Feb 1687/bp 23 Feb 1687. She was Anna Dorothea Saur, bn 10 Sept 1690/bp 26 Sept 1690. They were married 11 Nov 1710 in the same church. I believe the records are still there in case you should ever want to investigate."
I've heard of Michelfeld -- may have even driven through it but never stopped. I may be going to the Heidelberg area in a couple of weeks and will try to visit the town. At the very least, I ought to be able to find a cemetery and say hello to the ancestors.
A cousin of mine who is doing some genealogy work on my family just e-mailed to say this:
"It happens that between Switzerland and America, your direct ancestors spent about a hundred years in the little town of Michelfeld, Germany, which is just about 10 kilometers due south of Heidelberg, just west of Sinsheim. Your 6th great grandparents were born there and baptized in the Michelfeld Lutheran Church. He was Johann Michael Näf (Neff), bn 21 Feb 1687/bp 23 Feb 1687. She was Anna Dorothea Saur, bn 10 Sept 1690/bp 26 Sept 1690. They were married 11 Nov 1710 in the same church. I believe the records are still there in case you should ever want to investigate."
I've heard of Michelfeld -- may have even driven through it but never stopped. I may be going to the Heidelberg area in a couple of weeks and will try to visit the town. At the very least, I ought to be able to find a cemetery and say hello to the ancestors.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Another weekend excursion
I decided to stick close to home this weekend as I was rather tired this week. That long weekend wore me out. ha! I drove over to Neustadt (pron. "noy-shtott"), which the guy across the hall had mentioned as a place to shop.
I found the stadtmitte -- city middle -- which is where the shopping area is usually found. I was able to park right on the main street, which was just one-hour parking. That's okay. I did enough damage in the hour to justify leaving after that.
In the stadtmitte I found several clothing stores with which I'm familiar including H&M and C&A. I also found a new one, Woehle, which was quite nice. It's getting very chilly here, so I bought several sweaters.
I had a short chat in German with a friendly store clerk in Woehle. She was very complimentary of my German. I was able to say most of what I wanted and to understand most of what she said. However, my German leaves a LOT to be desired. Still, I'm sure most of the Americans she encounters can say nothing but "thank you" in German, so I'm not the norm. I'm glad I'm taking the German class, although truthfully, I'm not using much of what I'm learning yet. Still, I'm slowly building my vocabulary and brushing up on grammar, so it's worth it.
I'm sure I've mentioned this previously, but I'm STILL living in a temporary place so I don't have any of the things that I shipped over. In my suitcases and the couple of boxes I mailed, I included mostly summer clothes. Shortsighted on my part.
My plan was to leave the Neustadt stadtmitte and go to a Chinese restaurant I'd passed on the way into town. However, it was closed. I decided to check out a couple of other small towns I'd heard about, so I stopped in Parsberg at the autohof (place to get gas and food just off the autobahn, or major highway) for food since I was starving. The food offering there is McDonald's, my first time to eat at one here. I avoid American places off post, but given that it was mid-afternoon in a rural part of Germany, this was the best option (and, believe it or not, quite popular with the Germans, and I also heard Italian and another language spoken there). I will say that this McD's has a very nice coffee bar with coffee that's quite good, and the atmosphere is classier than with those in the US!
After a quick lunch of chicken McNuggets, I got a to-go latte and was on my way. I drove quickly through Kallmuenz and will return there some Saturday morning when I want to walk around. I also drove through Burglangenfeld, a larger town with a nice downtown. I drove up to the huge fortress above the town but didn't get out of the car. I'm going to return when I have my camera so I can document the exploration.
Okay, that's all for now. It's almost evening, and I'm going to go back to my room to read some more of "Outlander" by Diane Gabaldon. If you haven't heard of it, it's about a woman in Scotland who inadvertently touches a special rock and ends up traveling back 200 years. The story is fascinating. Apparently there are 6-7 books in the series. This first one is about 800 pages.
Bis spaeter! (Until later!)
I found the stadtmitte -- city middle -- which is where the shopping area is usually found. I was able to park right on the main street, which was just one-hour parking. That's okay. I did enough damage in the hour to justify leaving after that.
In the stadtmitte I found several clothing stores with which I'm familiar including H&M and C&A. I also found a new one, Woehle, which was quite nice. It's getting very chilly here, so I bought several sweaters.
I had a short chat in German with a friendly store clerk in Woehle. She was very complimentary of my German. I was able to say most of what I wanted and to understand most of what she said. However, my German leaves a LOT to be desired. Still, I'm sure most of the Americans she encounters can say nothing but "thank you" in German, so I'm not the norm. I'm glad I'm taking the German class, although truthfully, I'm not using much of what I'm learning yet. Still, I'm slowly building my vocabulary and brushing up on grammar, so it's worth it.
I'm sure I've mentioned this previously, but I'm STILL living in a temporary place so I don't have any of the things that I shipped over. In my suitcases and the couple of boxes I mailed, I included mostly summer clothes. Shortsighted on my part.
My plan was to leave the Neustadt stadtmitte and go to a Chinese restaurant I'd passed on the way into town. However, it was closed. I decided to check out a couple of other small towns I'd heard about, so I stopped in Parsberg at the autohof (place to get gas and food just off the autobahn, or major highway) for food since I was starving. The food offering there is McDonald's, my first time to eat at one here. I avoid American places off post, but given that it was mid-afternoon in a rural part of Germany, this was the best option (and, believe it or not, quite popular with the Germans, and I also heard Italian and another language spoken there). I will say that this McD's has a very nice coffee bar with coffee that's quite good, and the atmosphere is classier than with those in the US!
After a quick lunch of chicken McNuggets, I got a to-go latte and was on my way. I drove quickly through Kallmuenz and will return there some Saturday morning when I want to walk around. I also drove through Burglangenfeld, a larger town with a nice downtown. I drove up to the huge fortress above the town but didn't get out of the car. I'm going to return when I have my camera so I can document the exploration.
Okay, that's all for now. It's almost evening, and I'm going to go back to my room to read some more of "Outlander" by Diane Gabaldon. If you haven't heard of it, it's about a woman in Scotland who inadvertently touches a special rock and ends up traveling back 200 years. The story is fascinating. Apparently there are 6-7 books in the series. This first one is about 800 pages.
Bis spaeter! (Until later!)
Monday, September 3, 2007
Weekend in Chiemsee
I should start by saying that I've been updating this blog at work. For some strange reason, I can't SEE the updated blog. The last update it will show me is the Aug. 1 post. It's so annoying! I won't go into a permanent apartment until end of September. At that time, I'll get internet access at home and will update the blog regularly and with photos.
Saturday morning I drove down to Prien am Chiemsee, the town of Prien on the Chiemsee (lake), about a 3-hour drive. The hotel was supposed to be 4 star, but I'm not sure what made it thus. It was fine but nothing outstanding. The lake is sometimes called the Bavarian Sea and is about 30 square miles.
I took the ferry Saturday afternoon to Herrinsel and on Sunday to both Fraueninsel and Herreninsel. These are two islands in the lake. Herreninsel, or "men's island," is the larger of the two. It contains a former monastery and Mad King Ludwig's Herrenchiemsee castle. It was to be a replica of Versailles, but he ran out of money (and also died) so it was never finished. The island only contains the old monastery (now a museum and art gallery), the castle and grounds, a hotel, and a few other buildings.
Fraueninsel or "women's island" was smaller but much more interesting. It contained a thousand-year-old convent that's still active, several hotels or guesthouses, some restaurants, a couple of shops that sold local art, and some homes and summer homes. If I return to Chiemsee in good weather, I'll try to stay there.
About 21 years ago, I went to Chiemsee on a unit trip (a weekend organized by a military unit) with a young soldier I was seeing. We stayed at the US military hotel that was open there at the time (it was quite nice), and we went to the salt mines in Salzburg and to Berchtesgaden. We really didn't spend any time around the lake at all other than spending the night there, so it was nice to actually see the lay of the land this time. By the way, the last time I saw this guy was about 20 years ago when he left Germany. Then I ran into him when I was on a post in Kuwait in 2003. The army is a small world.
Saturday morning I drove down to Prien am Chiemsee, the town of Prien on the Chiemsee (lake), about a 3-hour drive. The hotel was supposed to be 4 star, but I'm not sure what made it thus. It was fine but nothing outstanding. The lake is sometimes called the Bavarian Sea and is about 30 square miles.
I took the ferry Saturday afternoon to Herrinsel and on Sunday to both Fraueninsel and Herreninsel. These are two islands in the lake. Herreninsel, or "men's island," is the larger of the two. It contains a former monastery and Mad King Ludwig's Herrenchiemsee castle. It was to be a replica of Versailles, but he ran out of money (and also died) so it was never finished. The island only contains the old monastery (now a museum and art gallery), the castle and grounds, a hotel, and a few other buildings.
Fraueninsel or "women's island" was smaller but much more interesting. It contained a thousand-year-old convent that's still active, several hotels or guesthouses, some restaurants, a couple of shops that sold local art, and some homes and summer homes. If I return to Chiemsee in good weather, I'll try to stay there.
About 21 years ago, I went to Chiemsee on a unit trip (a weekend organized by a military unit) with a young soldier I was seeing. We stayed at the US military hotel that was open there at the time (it was quite nice), and we went to the salt mines in Salzburg and to Berchtesgaden. We really didn't spend any time around the lake at all other than spending the night there, so it was nice to actually see the lay of the land this time. By the way, the last time I saw this guy was about 20 years ago when he left Germany. Then I ran into him when I was on a post in Kuwait in 2003. The army is a small world.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Another weekend in Deutschland
Friday afternoon I took the train to Darmstadt, which is just south of Frankfurt, to see a friend, Mark, before he took off for leave and then deployment to Afghanistan. I took the train so that I could drive his car back to Hohenfels. He was supposed to store it in Mannheim but when he called to confirm taking it in, he was told they no longer had room for the car. Lovely. My post agreed to store it for now, but if the space is needed later, I'll have to take it out.
Mark said I was welcome to drive the car if I wanted (and I'd just sell mine). All I have to do is let him know so he can put me on his insurance policy, and I would pay for the insurance while he's gone. I considered doing this, but on the drive back to Hohenfels I decided against it. The car is a jeep, standard transmission, and gets 20 mpg. I don't mind standards at all, but this thing rides rather rough and really is meant to be used for rugged territory. Plus that, the mileage sucks. No thanks. I'm putting it in storage.
It's now Sunday afternoon, and I'm heading to Regensburg this afternoon to wander around the old town. I want to get to know the city better.
Mark said I was welcome to drive the car if I wanted (and I'd just sell mine). All I have to do is let him know so he can put me on his insurance policy, and I would pay for the insurance while he's gone. I considered doing this, but on the drive back to Hohenfels I decided against it. The car is a jeep, standard transmission, and gets 20 mpg. I don't mind standards at all, but this thing rides rather rough and really is meant to be used for rugged territory. Plus that, the mileage sucks. No thanks. I'm putting it in storage.
It's now Sunday afternoon, and I'm heading to Regensburg this afternoon to wander around the old town. I want to get to know the city better.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Home Sweet Home
Friends have asked a variety of questions about my situation here.
I am still in a temporary apartment. It's a small, one-bedroom place. It would actually be okay except that it doesn't have a real kitchen. It has two burners, a tiny place for drying dishes, and a sink. There's an almost-normal size fridge, and an old microwave that also functions as an oven. No counter space on which to prepare food, chop veggies, etc. No place to store dishes. It's just not a good environment for me to try to eat healthy in.
I've started eating breakfast ($2) and lunch ($3.65) at the chow hall (military dining room, of which there are actually two on post). For breakfast, I can get an omelette made to order, hash browns, fresh fruit, juice, coffee (from a good coffee maker), sausage, bacon, cereal, toast, pancakes, French toast. What more could a girl want or need for $2? If I don't like the 3-4 entrees they make for lunch, I can always get very tasty rotisserie chicken, salad, veggies, etc. No real complaints here.
I'm about to start working out in the evenings. I can't face going to the gym, and since the weather is good for now (today, anyway), I'm just going to walk. There are some big hills on post, and I'm going to start with those. They're not any worse than what I covered in Bosnia last summer.
Prague was fun weekend before last. Much more expensive and Western now that it's not an East Bloc country any more. This past weekend I stayed home and chilled. Slept in, watched a lot of DVDs. It was nice to have a quiet weekend at home for a change.
That's all for now. Let me hear from you.
I am still in a temporary apartment. It's a small, one-bedroom place. It would actually be okay except that it doesn't have a real kitchen. It has two burners, a tiny place for drying dishes, and a sink. There's an almost-normal size fridge, and an old microwave that also functions as an oven. No counter space on which to prepare food, chop veggies, etc. No place to store dishes. It's just not a good environment for me to try to eat healthy in.
I've started eating breakfast ($2) and lunch ($3.65) at the chow hall (military dining room, of which there are actually two on post). For breakfast, I can get an omelette made to order, hash browns, fresh fruit, juice, coffee (from a good coffee maker), sausage, bacon, cereal, toast, pancakes, French toast. What more could a girl want or need for $2? If I don't like the 3-4 entrees they make for lunch, I can always get very tasty rotisserie chicken, salad, veggies, etc. No real complaints here.
I'm about to start working out in the evenings. I can't face going to the gym, and since the weather is good for now (today, anyway), I'm just going to walk. There are some big hills on post, and I'm going to start with those. They're not any worse than what I covered in Bosnia last summer.
Prague was fun weekend before last. Much more expensive and Western now that it's not an East Bloc country any more. This past weekend I stayed home and chilled. Slept in, watched a lot of DVDs. It was nice to have a quiet weekend at home for a change.
That's all for now. Let me hear from you.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
All the news that's fit to print
Phew. August 1st. I just have time for a quick update.
This past weekend I met a friend in Heidelberg. He works for my same organization, and we met in Bosnia back in 2001. We stayed in an inn above an Irish pub, drank some Guinness, wandered around the Hauptstrasse and beyond (Main Street, the center of life in Heidelberg), saw the new Harry Potter movie, and just relaxed. It was a fun weekend. He deploys to Afghanistan soon, so I may not see him again for nine months.
This Saturday I'm driving over to Prague with one of the contractors I've been hanging out with here. It's just about a 2.5- to 3-hour drive. We'll go over early Saturday morning and return Sunday evening.
The last time I was in Prague, it was still an East Bloc country during the Cold War. I've been told that times have changed. I can't wait to see it, although I do dread the throngs of tourists who I've been told will surely be there.
I'm still living in a small, temporary apartment. The kitchen area is T-I-N-Y, as in two burners and a sink. It also has an old microwave/oven combo. But as you can imagine, cooking in this space is not very desirable. I've started going to the chow hall for breakfast each morning. All you can eat for $2. Not bad.
Hey, if you're reading this, please make a comment so I'll know you were here. You don't have to log in or anything. You can do it anonymously, but then leave me your initials or some other clue so I'll know who you are. Thanks!
This past weekend I met a friend in Heidelberg. He works for my same organization, and we met in Bosnia back in 2001. We stayed in an inn above an Irish pub, drank some Guinness, wandered around the Hauptstrasse and beyond (Main Street, the center of life in Heidelberg), saw the new Harry Potter movie, and just relaxed. It was a fun weekend. He deploys to Afghanistan soon, so I may not see him again for nine months.
This Saturday I'm driving over to Prague with one of the contractors I've been hanging out with here. It's just about a 2.5- to 3-hour drive. We'll go over early Saturday morning and return Sunday evening.
The last time I was in Prague, it was still an East Bloc country during the Cold War. I've been told that times have changed. I can't wait to see it, although I do dread the throngs of tourists who I've been told will surely be there.
I'm still living in a small, temporary apartment. The kitchen area is T-I-N-Y, as in two burners and a sink. It also has an old microwave/oven combo. But as you can imagine, cooking in this space is not very desirable. I've started going to the chow hall for breakfast each morning. All you can eat for $2. Not bad.
Hey, if you're reading this, please make a comment so I'll know you were here. You don't have to log in or anything. You can do it anonymously, but then leave me your initials or some other clue so I'll know who you are. Thanks!
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