It's hard to believe that I've been in Germany for about three weeks. In some ways it feels like a very long time. One thing is clear, I am going to have to quit eating like I am on vacation!
As we settle in I have made a few astute observations I thought I would share. (In no particular order).
• In this part of Germany they LOVE Subway sandwich shops. They're everywhere. I guess that freshly baked bread smell is global.
• Germans did not get the memo about smoking. It's like the 1970s over here. There are vending machines on all the street corners and people smoke everywhere.
Hey kid - Get away from there, those things will kill ya!
• The trend of "lobe gauging" or stretching is (literally) huge here. It's not just the kids doing it either. I am not sure why this trend is becoming so mainstream. I can't figure out what people are trying to say with it. Are they claiming some sort of tribal heritage or solidarity with aboriginal cultures or are they saying "I am so rich I can afford the reconstruction surgery, no problem."
If you get bored with your ears you can stretch your nose or your lips.
• The radio does not play edited versions of songs here. I guess the curse words aren't the same. I had no idea some of the kids favorite songs were so dirty. They don't seem to like it when we're riding down the road and I try to reach around to the backseat and cover their ears. I think they're embarrassed or something.
• German houses have no closets. I now get why they sell all those wardrobes at IKEA. Maybe it's my karma for complaining that my previous house had no storage space.
• Rats look the same.
• Squirrels look different. Here they are skinny and red, not an unpleasant change.
Hey little squirrelly...
• The US certainly does not corner the market on obesity. I think it's no secret that a lot of people enjoy their beer and sausage in this region. I believed the stereotype that Europeans were so healthy compared to us Americans. The moral of the story is: invest your money in drug companies that make diabetes meds. Drugs sales are booming everywhere!
Beer and sausage add to Germany's bottom line.
Look for more inane observations later! Also, leave a comment and let me know what you think of these.
Up next, I will share a recent visit to a beautiful cometary and tell you about our new recycling regime.
Auf Weidersehen!