Hey Mom, I made it…
Hallo, I have made it to Germany! I had wonderful flights. On my first flight, I was placed next to older Indian women flying back to Mumbai. She did not understand a lick of English, however, we had a good conversation. I was able to get across to her that I soon would also be in India. She was a spunky one who rebelled against the seatbelt sign every time and sighed when the flight attendants told her otherwise. My next leg, I switched positions. I was now on a plane surrounded by German-speaking individuals, signs, and announcements. Although it did not seem foreign, it felt rather welcoming. Upon arrival, I navigated Central Station with the help of a teacher & her kind secondary students, which I pretended to be for a short time. I spent time exploring different districts in awe of the towering structures, laced with gothic architecture and waterways running through the city. I wound up turned around asking for directions, (a common theme) however this time it led to exploring the city with newfound local friends! We took the underground to the more grungy side, which I had been looking for. The buildings were coated with posters and graffiti (common in most of the city). One particular building caught my eye as it stood tall with pillars at the front, strung with banners. After making out the word police several times, I asked about its purpose. My friends explained to me that it was once abandoned. Now, a communist party is occupying it and continues to resist leaving. We dined at a Mexican restaurant, where I explained to them the different menu options. To my surprise, Germany is littered with Mexican, Asian, and Thai cuisine (Rice Paddy you still take the gold). We then played card games, (this is a common sight to see...people whip out games while waiting for various activities, and no I am not talking about the type that requires a screen) and discussed cultural differences- starting with broad topics like education, down to small nuances such as greeting people, all while various American music played in the background (also more common than German music). They even taught me a few slang words while we all laughed at my inability to properly make any rich German sounds and pronounce my own last name (as I am in my motherland). I spent the rest of my stay bouncing around on public transportation, talking to small shop owners, and observing from afar (aka people watching with a purpose).
Here are a few interesting tidbits:
-Most clothes are worn for statement, rather than function. They sport Redwing boots and Levi jeans… which in America scream blue collared man. However, I just saw most wearing them around the city after talking to a store owner he confirmed that in Germany, they are just another fashion piece.
-Quality time is valued and not disturbed by the use of cellular devices.
-Things run on time; down to the minute. However, stores do not post open and close hours…When the doors are open then they are too and vice versa.
-Rules are followed; nobody J-walks.
-Functional technology is everywhere: to turn the hotel lights on, you just enter your key card in a slot. This saves energy as you must turn your lights off to leave with no option of leaving just one on.
-The second oldest store is only 22 years old, they sell all things hearty American, from raw leather vests to Carhartt and Pendleton.
-Far more people of both genders and a wide age range smoke, both as a method for socializing and as routine.
-Lastly, they have considerably well-established public transportation…wow.
Tomorrow is the day I board the ship and celebrate another year of life. From this point on, I will not have internet or cellular connection. However, I will have handy dandy email AKA seamail! At this time I do not know the address. This does, however, mean I have recruited reinforcement stateside. I will be seamailing updates to my lovely assistants who double as cousins on the off hours…who will then proofread and send them off to the cloud!
Danka. Liebe.
